Relegation danger worries Pardew

Alan Pardew is nervously eyeing Newcastle’s proximity to the relegation zone after a 4-0 defeat away to Stoke City.

Jon Walters, Jermaine Pennant, Danny Higginbotham and substitute Ricardo Fuller were all on target as Stoke comprehensively dispatched promoted Newcastle at the Britannia Stadium.

Saturday’s defeat leaves Newcastle just four points clear of the English Premier League relegation zone and in danger of being sucked into the desperate scrap to avoid the drop.

“We have always been conscious we have never been that far away (from the relegation zone),” Pardew said.

“The scoreline is going to put some pressure on us in terms of our next home game. It is one of those days you would like to forget as a manager.”

“But I think we have enough in the dressing room and enough quality to win the next game and give ourselves some breathing space.”

“I am obviously disappointed with the scoreline. I thought at half-time we were unlucky to be 1-0 down as we controlled much of the tempo.”

“But the first five minutes of the second half cost us the game. Even before (Steve) Harper made an error we should have got rid of the ball.”

“We conceded a second and from that moment on we had a mountain to climb.”

Stoke City manager Tony Pulis was proud of his players’ efforts, particularly after reaching the FA Cup semi-finals at the expense of West Ham in their last match.

“We are pleased, we knew it was going to be a tough game,” Pulis said.

“On the back of what we did against West Ham there was a concern the players might not be focussed and a little bit drained.”

“We are doing things at this club that have not happened for 39 years. The players are not used to the pressure of playing in these competitions at the level we are dealing with now.”

“We have eight games to go, four at home, and have to make sure we pick points up.”