JAMAAL LASCELLES says Newcastle United’s players will continue to stand by under-fire manager Steve Bruce as they look to arrest the club’s alarming run of form.

Monday’s 3-0 defeat at Arsenal means the Magpies have now failed to win any of their last nine matches, with their last seven games featuring just one goal.

The downturn in form has taken Newcastle to within seven points of the relegation zone, and piled further pressure on Bruce, who is facing sustained calls for his dismissal from a large section of the Magpies’ fanbase.

Newcastle owner Mike Ashley has resisted calls for a change of manager, and the St James’ Park hierarchy remain convinced Bruce is capable of ensuring United remain in the Premier League this season.

Their support is not limitless though, and more serious questions will be asked if the situation does not improve in the next two matches against Aston Villa and Leeds United.

Newcastle return to action when they travel to Villa Park on Saturday night, and Lascelles remains convinced he and his team-mates are capable of arresting the current decline.

“I’ve been in a lot of tough situations over the years and it is just about how you deal with them,” said the Magpies skipper. “Every club goes through a spell, Arsenal I think went ten without a win but have turned it around and we have the players to do that.

“So, I think it is just important that we stick together, the manager, the staff and the players, and keep trying to do the right things and hopefully it gets better.

“Of course, it is always tough. We are just annoyed at ourselves, disappointed with the situation we are in, we thought we would put in a better performance than that (at Arsenal). First half was alright, second half was terrible so we really need to look at ourselves.”