Pardew expects 'serious' talks with Ashley

Ahead of the match, Ashley - who Newcastle insist was joking with the comment - said Pardew would be "finished" if it ended in defeat.

The sportswear magnate then watched from the stands at the Britannia Stadium, while several Newcastle fans there held up 'Sack Pardew' signs, as the Tyneside outfit's wait for a win in the Barclays Premier League this term extended to six games.

Pardew's side have only tasted victory once in 14 league fixtures stretching back to last season, with 10 of those games ending in defeat, and they are second-bottom of the table.

Following this latest reverse, the 53-year-old said: "I have to fight and the team have to fight and that's what we'll continue to do until we can turn it around."

He then added: "I think we'll (he and Ashley) have some serious conversations before Saturday (when Newcastle face Swansea away) because he doesn't want to lose and nor do I."

Asked how secure his position was, Pardew said: "I don't know. But I think it's my job really to show to the players that there are 32 games left to be strong and to show there is a resilience.

"We find ourselves in a position where we are not winning games and we have to put that right."

Regarding the Newcastle supporters, Pardew said: "This is a tough job - make no bones about that - and it is tough where we are at the moment. The fans are giving their honest opinion of what they believe.

"I looked at them at the end and clapped them to show I respect their views. I'm not going to hide from it.

"I know there is a big question mark about me being at this football club and the only way I can answer it is to do the job to the best of my ability and try to come up with the answers."