CRAIG Moore has insisted that a tight team spirit will enable Newcastle to turn their season around, with the centre-half dedicating Wednesday's Carling Cup win over Portsmouth to the club's embattled manager and chairman.

Both Glenn Roeder and Freddy Shepherd have found themselves under fire in recent weeks after a run of five league games without a win left the Magpies just two points clear of the Premiership drop zone.

Wednesday's win over Pompey saw the pressure lift somewhat, with Moore claiming that Newcastle's impressive second-half showing had established a benchmark for future performances.

And while the Australian has admitted that unstinting hard work is the only way to guarantee further progress, he has claimed his team-mates' togetherness will stand them in good stead as they look to haul themselves into the top half of the Premiership.

"There is a desire to do well for the manager and the chairman," said Moore, who skippered the side on Wednesday in the absence of club captain Scott Parker. "I believe everybody deserves to be seeing a lot better.

"We've got an extremely tight-knit group and everyone's looking to put the hard yards in to turn it around. We believe we've got a good enough squad to be further up the table, but nothing's handed to you on a plate.

"We need to work and we're continuing to do that every day. With the Portsmouth result and another home game on Saturday (against Charlton), it's important we get on a little run and build up a head of steam."

While second-half goals from Guiseppe Rossi and Nolberto Solano earned a Carling Cup fourth-round clash with Watford, Wednesday night's win was also notable for Newcastle's second domestic clean sheet of the season.

They might have conceded just one goal in five UEFA Cup ties but, against Premiership defences, the story has been somewhat different.

Errors against both Everton and Bolton cost the Magpies five crucial Premiership points, with Titus Bramble and Stephen Carr coming in for sustained criticism as a result of their aberrations.

Moore admits that some of Newcastle's recent defending has left a lot to be desired, but feels there is enough quality in his side's backline to restore the club's defensive reputation.

"We're being attacked from all angles for the goals we're conceding, so it's nice to get a clean sheet," said the Australia international. "It's not only nice for the defenders, it's also good for the rest of the team. It gives us something to build on and, if you can nick a goal, a clean sheet will win the game.

"There's a lot of experts out there and a lot of goals we have conceded have been from set pieces. There has been a pattern and it's something we're all working hard to put right.

"Everybody's putting in the hard yards and, hopefully, it will change our fortune. You look at last year and the run we put together, and you see where good defending can get you."

Newcastle's supporters have historically placed a priority on the need to attack.

With Rossi expected to make his first Premiership start for the club tomorrow in place of the injured Shola Ameobi, the Magpies' faithful will be hoping for a repeat of the Italian's fine display on Wednesday night.

Moore is equally expectant, although he claims the pressure to constantly attack can occasionally prove counter-productive.

"I've only been at Newcastle a short spell but the spotlight's always there," he said. "Newcastle is known as a flamboyant side that has to go out and score lots of goals - certainly more than they concede. We need to tighten up on that.

"There's a pressure because you're expected to go out and win every game. But pressure's good - I'd much rather be playing under pressure than at a club where there's no real ambition or aim."

l Kieron Dyer was delighted to be applauded on to the pitch as he made his eagerly-awaited return to action on Wednesday night, but the injury-plagued midfielder is hoping his latest warm welcome is his last.

The England international produced a superb half-hour cameo at a rain-drenched St James' Park, six months after last appearing for the first team in April's 4-1 win at Sunderland.

The 27-year-old was relieved to be back and is optimistic his injury problems are finally at an end.

"It has been a long hard road but I never lost faith in myself," said Dyer. "And neither did the manager or the physiotherapists.

"Now, I hope to reward them by playing a full part for the rest of the season. While I was delighted at the reception I got from the fans, I have had a few like that over the years and I want this one to be the last.

"It was great to be back and I have to say I feel 100 per cent physically right and 100 per cent mentally right as well."