Football
Kevin Palmer 9y

Alan Pardew says he has still support of Newcastle players

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew has insisted the performances of his team in the last month has confirmed he still has the full backing of the players in his dressing room.

Pardew has been under pressure throughout the first seven games of the Premier League season and faces another vital game against Leicester at St James' Park this weekend.

Yet the resilient Newcastle boss claimed he is not concerned about the effort he is getting from his players as he tries to put a positive gloss on what he describes as "the toughest period of my managerial career" that will reach its 700th game this Saturday.

"There aren't too many times in your career you genuinely feel you lose the dressing room," stated Pardew. "I don't think I've lost a dressing-room before, but sometimes you can be slightly misguided by that because you're always thinking positively and think people are behind you. Certainly there have been signs here that the players are desperate for the win.

"I have managed at three of the levels [divisions], and they have all presented different challenges, which I have enjoyed. As a manager, you have real ups and downs. There is euphoria and some real dark days, which I've had recently here.

"You have to try to show a consistency in what you do. It's not really a time for reflection for me this week because Leicester is so important for this football club. All I'm focused on is getting the win we need for this city and the club.

"We haven't won a game yet and Newcastle United need to win. We're paid to win games, not to draw games or be honourable losers so we need to win so therefore the pressure is very much on me and the team. We shouldn't shirk that.

Pardew has been boosted by a swift return to fitness for first choice keeper Tim Krul, while he hopes striker Papiss Cisse will continue to fill the scoring void in his team.

"We have struggled for goals this season, but Papiss has shown that he can be very important for us this season," added Pardew of the striker who has scored four Premier League goals this season. "We need to get him the kind of service he needs because we all know what he is capable of."

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