Monday, 28th April, 2014
Newcastle manager Alan Pardew believes that his team played "ok" in their 3-0 defeat away at Arsenal this evening.
The defeat was the Magpies' sixth successive Premier League loss and the Newcastle fans were quick to show their disapproval, showing banners calling for Pardew's dismissal and blaming the club's board for their current woes.
But Pardew does feel the club's players are working hard to turn matters on the pitch around.
He told Sky Sports: "It was tough for us tonight. We dug in, tried to offer a threat, but they were too good.
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"In terms of the second half I thought we showed good character to come out there on the back of the defeats we've had. We played okay in the circumstances."
However, while Pardew accepts Newcastle's run is not good enough, he does feel expectations are too high at St. James' Park at present.
"We need to focus on finishing in the top ten and that's put pressure on us for Saturday. The players are working hard enough.
"It's a big club. They expect sometimes things we can't quite deliver.
"We're going to work hard this summer to make sure we get a team that the city can be proud of.
"I've got to make sure the recruitment and everything else is right over the summer. So I'm looking at the job as a long term opportunity for myself and that's how you have to approach it."
Newcastle currently sit ninth in the Premier League with 46 points from 36 games.
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