NEWCASTLE UNITED manager Alan Pardew has accepted responsibility for Saturday’s 4-0 drubbing at Southampton, and admits the pressure is on to deliver a win against Hull City on Saturday.

The Magpies were humiliated on the south coast for the second time in six months on another difficult afternoon that saw almost 2,500 supporters make their feelings towards the regime clear.

There were strong calls for Pardew to be sacked – in the form of banners and regular chants - after an abysmal run that has seen the Magpies take 18 points from a possible 69 since the start of 2014.

The club moved to quash rumours owner Mike Ashley was about to sack the man he handed an eight-year contract to in 2012, stating it would be “business as usual” ahead of Saturday’s visit of Hull.

Pardew failed to show up for his post-match press conference for the written media at St Mary’s, a decision that sparked further outrage amongst fans waiting to hear an apology, but he is set to face the written press when he previews the Hull game at lunchtime today.

The Tynesiders’ run of four league games without a win represents their worst start to a campaign in nine years with Southampton exposing frailties at both ends of the field.

“It was a tough day to take,” Pardew said in an interview to nufcTV.

“As a group and individually we’re better than that, and I take responsibility for that.

“It was a heavy defeat when we were looking for so much more.

“It was a tough day for our fans, a tough day for the team and, certainly, a tough day for me.

“The two injuries in the week (Rolando Aarons and Siem De Jong) were blows, particularly mentally to us.”

Newcastle have shipped nine goals in their opening four games, while further forward they have struggled to break teams down.

Emmanuel Riviere, Ayoze Perez and Facundo Ferreyra all arrived during the transfer window, but none of them have managed to open their Magpies accounts.

Ferreyra – who was reportedly signed on the recommendation of captain Fabricio Coloccini – hasn’t even made a league matchday squad, and despite insists his side possessed enough of a goal threat, Pardew now admits there is a problem.

He said: “The worry is how many goals are we going to score? We’re aware of that.

“We need to find a formula which will get us some goals.

“We have spoken about how important making a good start is.

“But that’s something that we can’t do. We conceded very early against Crystal Palace as well.

“That will put us on our guard for Saturday to make sure it’s something we do (start well).”

Pardew is likely to face further hostility at St James’ Park on Saturday with sections of supporters planning protests for during the game.

During Newcastle’s final home game of last season – a 3-0 win over Cardiff City - the Magpies boss was forced to stay in his dug-out because of the abuse he faced from disgruntled fans.

Pardew may well avoid his technical area again this weekend, but the Magpies boss has admitted there will be huge pressure on his shoulders to mastermind a win.

“I don’t know about patience, this is a time to stand up and deliver really.

“Saturday is an important game for us because we’ve had a difficult start.

“Even if we’d got a point (at Southampton) it would have been an okay start because I think we’ve had some tough games.

“But now we have a game at home where the pressure is really going to be on us. We have to deliver.”

Meanwhile, Nottingham Forest chairman Fawaz Al Hasawi has revealed the club could try to re-sign Karl Darlow and Jamaal Lascelles should the club win promotion to the Premier League this season.

Darlow and Lascelles were sold to Newcastle over the summer, but went straight back to the City Ground on loan.

Forest are the early pace setters in the Championship and after facing the wrath of supporters for selling the duo to the Magpies, Al Hasawi revealed he hasn’t ruled out making a move to bring them back if the club is promoted.

He said: “Maybe next season we will sign them again, maybe we will even buy them back.

“In the future, you never know. If we go into the Premier League, perhaps we can talk with Newcastle. We can perhaps loan the players again or even buy them back. Alternatively, we will buy other players.”