Newcastle will keep faith with Steve McClaren for the moment
Monday 30 November 2015 11:00, UK
Sky Sports News HQ understands Steve McClaren's position as Newcastle manager is not under threat despite the recent run of poor results.
However, the club is prepared to review the situation if relegation from the Premier League becomes a realistic proposition further down the line.
The Magpies' endured another disappointment on Saturday when they were thrashed 5-1 at Selhurst Park by Crystal Palace, who are managed by former Newcastle boss Alan Pardew.
McClaren called the Newcastle players in for extra training on Sunday and we understand the squad was happy to give up their day off after their recent displays.
McClaren's men have won just two of their first 14 Premier League games this season and are second-bottom of the table, two points behind 17th-placed Sunderland.
Newcastle face testing fixtures at home to Liverpool and away to Tottenham over the next fortnight before welcoming bottom side Aston Villa to St James' Park on December 19.
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Former England boss McClaren took charge in the summer but has so far been unable to arrest the poor run the club has been on since Pardew left at the turn of the year - the Magpies have won just five league games in 2015
After Saturday's loss, McClaren was asked if he expected to retain the support of the board and replied: "I think that's the key thing, that there's no panic.
"If there were eight games to go, then people would, but we're not.
"And that's where experience tells. We know we're doing the right things every day, I know through experience.
"Everybody knows and everybody can see that. In time, that will turn around and work, at the present moment it's not.
"We're having huge disappointments that I hope will toughen us up and make us stronger in the long run."
