'No assurances' over Pardew future at Newcastle after Southampton defeat

The Magpies were handed a humbling defeat at St Mary's, with two points from their first four games leaving the 53-year-old coach under increasing pressure as travelling fans repeatedly chanted for his departure during the game.

Perhaps wary of the scrutiny he would come under, Pardew did not attend the post-match news conference -- nor did any of his staff - and only spoke to the broadcast media.

"I haven't asked for any assurances about my job and I haven't been given any," he told BBC Sport after the 4-0 loss. "We made individual mistakes that we couldn't absorb. We have to take that as a team.

"We had a great chance at 2-0 and half a chance after that. We have played OK at the start of the season and really got caught out today.

"We didn't have long to prepare after the internationals but there's no excuse really. The players tried everything at 2-0. We just caught at the start.

"The criticisms from the fans are fair. You can't get beat 4-0 -- I've had a few of those at the club. We have to be strong and tough it out. We have to put ourselves on the line and be brave. We have more quality than we showed today."

Asked if the fans' criticism was unfair, he told Sky Sports: "They're fair because you can't get beaten 4-0 as Newcastle manager. I've had it a few times and at this club it is tough to take.

"It is not easy to digest and not easy for the players either to play under those circumstances, so we have to be strong and try and tough it out this week and come back next week.

"We just have to put ourselves on the line, really, and be brave. Certainly, today, for us we have a bit more quality than we showed today, for sure, and we need to get that on the pitch.''

The loss at Southampton continued a disappointing start to the season for the Magpies, which has seen them lose 2-0 at home to Manchester City, before being held to draws by Aston Villa and Crystal Palace.