AFTER Saturday's crucial win over Queens Park Rangers, Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew was able to put a difficult week behind him, but admitted frustrations had boiled over between himself and captain Fabricio Coloccini last week.

When things aren't going your way it's easy for tempers to flare and the sight of Pardew embracing his captain at the final whistle was in fact more than just a congratulatory hug after the Magpies secured only their fifth Premier League win of the season.

The Newcastle boss openly revealed in his post-match press conference that he and had fallen out with the Argentine defender during the week, but he was quick to assure supporters that they had put their differences behind them.

The majority of the squad has struggled to emulate their performances from last season and even their captain marvel, normally the epitome of calmness, has suffered from a severe dip in form.

However, normal service was resumed on Saturday and although they left it late to break down a resilient QPR, Newcastle defended superbly - led by their skipper.

It's been a difficult few weeks for Pardew and his men as they search for the type of performance that helped them secure a fifth place finish last term and the relief on their faces was visible at the final whistle.

"There was a reason for going on the pitch at the end of the game to see Colo," Pardew revealed. "I just said to him before we walked out on the pitch, look we are both winners, we are allowed to fall out.

"We fell out this week and we're entitled to do that, as the captain and the manager. It was just a silly little thing and I know he was determined to get the result. I said to him before the game 'be our leader today, be a captain and make sure they don't get a sniff of a goal'. And when you ask someone to do a job and they do it, it's only right that you pay your respects to them.

"You fall out with players all the time as a manager, because if not you're not doing your job. Sometimes I have to say what I think is right. Even your most senior players can disagree with that.

"I have no problem with that. I feel that in any walk of life you have to be a man sometimes and admit when you're wrong and also pay your respects when someone does something very right and I thought Colo was absolutely brilliant.

"He was never off my Christmas card list because it wasn't me who had the problem. I think Colo was a bit upset, but I don't want you to go searching for why.

"It was a very little thing - if it was more serious I would say so. It was a little thing, but I thought it was important I went on the pitch today to embrace him in that way."

With back-to-back trips to Manchester United and Arsenal next, getting a result against Harry Redknapp's men was imperative. A defeat or even a draw would have left Newcastle in a vulnerable position, but thanks to Shola Ameobi's 81st-minute strike a five-point cushion lies between the Magpies and the bottom three.

Up until Ameobi's third goal of the season, it was a frustrating afternoon for the Tynesiders, who dominated possession and chances but couldn't find a way to break the visitors down.

However, a triple substitution midway through the second half saw the arrival of Ameobi, Gabriel Obertan and Sylvain Marveaux and that proved a masterstroke from the Newcastle boss.

Pardew was quick to play down his decisions, though, and insisted they might not have gone his way on any other weekend.

He said: "I don't really think like that when I make substitutions. I've made substitutions in my career when people have wanted to rip the place down - you just have to be brave enough to make those decisions. I would have had to wear it if it hadn't worked, but fortunately it did.

"I don't really notice (the boos when Cisse was taken off) too much. I don't really notice it when they sing my name either - someone usually tells me so I have to wave at them - I'm focussing on the game. I just felt we lacked a bit of creative flair in the second half. I wanted to get three different creative players on the pitch."

All three substitutions made a difference, but it was Marveaux and Ameobi, who combined for the winning goal.

"He (Marveaux) just hovered on the ball for half a second to create a chance and that's what great players can do.

"Sylvain is pushing now and I think he's showing what we hoped he could show. Everyone takes time to settle and we all know about Vurnon Anita, who has been our best player in the last four or five games and yet before that looked like he was struggling a bit. Sylvain might do the same. He's got the potential.

"Shola is a big-game player, always has been. He's been magnificent for me and you have to admire his dedication when he's not getting a start and we're not winning to stay in the zone.

"Forget about the goal, he changed the game a little bit. He started to bully the centre-halves, Demba started to get more space and that was the power of Shola in that period."