Newcastle United Manager Alan Pardew Holds Talks With Mike Ashley

Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew has been given no guarantees over his future at St James' Park after staging talks with owner Mike Ashley.

The 4-0 defeat to Southampton leaves the club winless and rock bottom of the Premier League after four games.

Pardew is expected to be met with waves of protests from Newcastle fans for the visit of Hull City this weekend, with banners and cards printed demanding his sacking following a run of nine defeats in the club's last 12 games stretching back to last season.

The 53-year-old has been handed a stay of execution by Ashley for this weekend's game but has not been given any assurances over his future beyond the game against Hull.

"It has not been an easy week," Pardew said during his pre-match press conference. "I've spoken to the group about it and if we go behind in games we have to show a better spirit."

"I had a long conversation with Mike Ashley on Sunday. Obviously he's disappointed with the performance as he has the right to as the owner. We both agreed to focus on this Saturday and try to get a win for Newcastle.

"The issue regarding me has to take a back seat. The environment for the players on Saturday will probably be as tough as it's ever been. Hull will try to take advantage of that.

"My future never came up [in the conversation]. We talked about the team and also about the performance. He was upset about the performances as he has the right to as the owner, and we talked about that. I didn't ask for any assurances.

"I don't fear the game but Hull are a good side. But we have to show that our spirit is strong and I think we will do that."