Newcastle midfielder Nicky Butt has told the club to stand by under-fire manager Sam Allardyce.
Allardyce confirmed the pressure was growing after Newcastle’s defeat to Manchester City at home on Wednesday – their third successive loss.
But Butt said: “Things will never improve unless he’s given time. I’ve been here for three-and-a-half years and I’ve had four managers.
“Sooner or later someone has got to say this is the manager we’re standing by.”
Butt, who spent 11 years under Sir Alex Ferguson at former club Manchester United, believes stability is the key to long-term success.
“If you look at all the big teams, like United and Arsenal, they’re the clubs that have stood by managers for a long time,” he said.
“If we do that, I’m sure we’ll do it right.
“These are tough times at the moment but all of us in the dressing room just have to stand up and be counted.
“Lately, there have been signs we are improving. Had we taken one of our chances when we lost 2-0 against Manchester City on Wednesday, it could have been a different story. We didn’t and we have to kick on.”
