Newcastle Utd boss and owner ‘sick and upset’ at Southampton thrashing

Fans chanted for Pardew’s dismissal during last Saturday’s 4-0 defeat at the St Mary’s Stadium.

Newcastle’s manager met club owner Ashley the following day.

Ashley, it seems, wanted answers from Pardew, who will face more hostility from angry supporters tomorrow when his winless team takes Hull City at St James’s Park.

Pardew, however, didn’t seek assurances about his position, which is looking increasingly precarious, from Ashley.

“We didn’t have a conversation regarding my position,” said Pardew. “He was upset with the performance, and I think he has every right to be that as an owner.

“I told him some things which I think should be sorted out, and some things that can help me.

At the end of the day, Mike and myself do not want Newcastle to lose. “We want to have the best possible team and we want to win.

“At the moment, of course, we haven’t got that. So how are we going to achieve it? I think it was about how he could help me and support me, and I appreciate that.”

However, Pardew – who feels the club’s new signings need time to adjust to English football – conceded that his job IS under threat given the club’s awful record since the turn of the year.

“I think you’re fighting for your job on the record that we had at the back end of season, as well as what has happened this season,” said Pardew, who is under contract for another six years.

Speaking ahead of the Hull game, Pardew reiterated that he won’t walk away from the job, despite the mood on Tyneside.

He said: “It has been suggested that I don’t care about this position, and that I’ve got this long contract, and that I’m going through the motions.

“Nothing could be further from the truth. I was absolutely sick after the game. The performance we put in is just not worthy of this football club.”

Pardew chose not to criticise his players – branded a “disgrace” by ex-Liverpool defender turned TV pundit Jamie Carragher – after the Southampton game.

He also chose not to speak to the written Press, though he has promised to address newspaper journalists after the Hull match, whatever the result.

“I’ve been accused of not taking responsibility for the defeat,” said Pardew. “I think a lot of that is because I won’t criticise players.

“I try never to criticise players, even players that I’ve fallen out with, because I have fallen out with more than one player here, trust me.

“But I think it’s important that you try and give a logical explanation as to why. That’s what I’ve always done and that’s what I will try and do on Saturday, if we get beat.”