ON the evidence of a cold mid-January evening outing at St James’ Park, caretaker manager John Carver has the players united and working for him. Give him the job then.

If only it was that simple.

Newcastle need long-term direction and, after another defeat which increased the frustrations among the fans, the sooner a decision is made as to who will become the club’s new head coach the better.

There are two weeks until Newcastle next play, when another sell-out away following will be at Hull City, and Alan Pardew’s successor needs to be in place.

The transfer window closes two days later, and it is be hoped there is also progress on the recruitment front before that. Fans are not holding their breath and there was a sense of that inside St James’ Park.

While Southampton continue to show clubs outside of the Premier League’s Champions League regulars how to go about becoming effective in the top-flight, the startlingly flat atmosphere among a crowd of nearly 50,000 was indicative of another season which is effectively over before February.

The latest poor run of six defeats from eight games cannot continue, or the eight-point advantage they hold over the relegation zone will be reduced.

Out of both the FA Cup and the Capital One Cup, managerless after Pardew got fed up of life on Tyneside with a strained relationship between the fans and the boardroom unlikely to ever be repaired.

What will managing director Lee Charnley be recommending to owner Mike Ashley over the next few days? What is clear is that a firm move needs to be taken or the current malaise will continue.

Newcastle performed reasonably well, but that was not enough against an effective and efficient Southampton team seemingly on course to gatecrash the top four come May.

The latest defeat was Carver’s third since being afforded caretaker responsibility; he is yet to win in four. He does, though, have the support of the players.

Remy Cabella, a summer recruit from Montpellier and the only player willing to talk to the press after the game, said: “We are all happy with JC (Carver) and Steve Stone. Everybody is happy with the situation with them. The training is good, every day is good, except when we lose. But JC has been a good gaffer. There is no problem with JC and Stoney. We have a good atmosphere at the moment under them both.”

If Carver was to be given the task of lifting Newcastle until the end of the season, would it work? It’s impossible to predict, but if that is the route Charnley goes then the squad could do with knowing as soon as possible. So could Carver.

The uncertainty does not help anyone, not least the supporters turning up wondering what controversial decision Ashley and Co will come up with next. Those inside St James’ for the visit of Southampton are waiting for something to happen ... but are nervous of Ashley’s next move.

Newcastle started strongly to lift the crowd initially, only for the Saints to score against the run of play in the 14th minute. Jose Fonte’s long ball was chested down into the path of the lively James Ward-Prowse by the excellent Graziano Pelle.

Ward-Prowse, constantly buzzing in the Magpies’ half, rolled an inviting pass behind Fabricio Coloccinni and Eljero Elia beat Daryl Janmaat to the ball before his relatively tame shot found the net when Tim Krul should have got behind it.

Newcastle levelled with a huge slice of good fortune just before the half hour. Yoan Gouffran chased down a Cabella pass destined for ex-Newcastle goalkeeper Fraser Forster. Southampton defender Florin Gardos slid in when there was no need to. His clearance rocketed off Gouffran before dropping high into the empty net .

It was always going to be hard for Newcastle to score against a team who have conceded fewer goals than any other team in the four divisions. So when Southampton edged ahead again in the 62nd minute, the chances of pulling level again were slim.

Steven Davis’ header into the Newcastle half was flicked on by Pelle. Elia, a loan signing from Werder Bremen, caused Janmaat to make a mess of the defending and the Dutch winger’s shot took a deflection off his compatriot before beating Krul.

Newcastle wasted a couple of chances to level. They should also have had a stoppage-time penalty but referee Bobby Madley waved play on when Emmanuel Riviere’s strike was blocked by the arm of Fonte as it flew towards the top corner.

Cabella said: “It was a penalty, it should have been. The referee should have blown his whistle. But this is football, it can’t be just about a decision like that.

“It is a lot in this league to lose a few games in a row. The results have been difficult because we need to start winning. The next game in the fixtures ... we have to win, work hard and for me we have a good team with good players and we can do go on a winning run again.”