Crystal Palace vs Newcastle United: Steve McClaren to call on his past experience to save side from relegation

Owner Mike Ashley is unlikely to make any move before a January review unless performances continue in this awful vein

Steve McClaren is likely to be given more time to lift Newcastle United out of relegation danger (AFP/Getty)

Steve McClaren looks set to avoid the sack for now and insists his club history proves he can turn around Newcastle United’s dismal season.

The former England manager’s side fell back into the relegation zone after a humiliating 5-1 defeat at Crystal Palace on Saturday that could have been much worse. Although there is disquiet at the club about the team’s form under McClaren, owner Mike Ashley is unlikely to make any move before a January review unless performances continue in this awful vein.

Newcastle seemed totally unprepared for the pace of Palace’s game, but McClaren pointed to his spell at Middlesbrough between 2001 and 2006 as evidence that he is capable of coming good.

“Every job I have started has been difficult at the beginning, from my first experience at Middlesbrough, where we lost the first four games,” he said. “We were pointless and clueless, as we were called then, and it took a good six, seven months to get through that. Really bad times. Then second year we built a bit of belief. But the first 18 months were very, very difficult. We expect the same here. But that’s what I can draw on.

“It’s getting back to work: you’ve just got to do the right things. While everyone else around you is losing their heads you’ve got to keep yours. You’ve got to keep calm, perspective.

“I think that’s the key thing – there’s no panic. If there were six or seven, eight games to go, down there, then people would be, but we’re not panicking and I think that’s where experience tells.”

Alan Pardew, the former Newcastle manager but now in charge of Palace, refused to revel in a resounding win over his old club. And he backed McClaren, saying Newcastle should stick by his successor on Tyneside if they are to get out of their woeful situation.

“It’s important that the group stays strong,” Pardew said when asked whether McClaren should be given time. “I felt myself in the position where you need everybody to pull for you and that’s where they are now. Steve understands that as a manager, and all the staff and players now have to stick tight, get the barriers up and get a win. I hope they do that next week.”

Steve McClaren is likely to be given more time to lift Newcastle United out of relegation danger