Newcastle United boss Steve Bruce has branded criticism around their season as "mass hysteria".
In all competitions, Newcastle have now gone four games without a win after they were also beaten 2-0 at Manchester City in the Premier League on Boxing Day.
Bruce has called on supporters to be more realistic about their position.
He said: “We had a bad week and some of the mass hysteria was, in my opinion, unjust and unfair. A lot of it was not right. I'm probably going to say that but it's my opinion.
“All the fans are like we are, we have to accept where we are. It is as pretty straightforward as that.
“My remit is to make sure we stay and remain a Premier League outfit. That is what I will try to achieve. That is where we have been for the last three or four years.
“Of course, for Newcastle, in a lot of people's eyes, that isn't going to be enough but that is where we are at the moment. We have to accept it and keep, as I have said many times, trying to move it forward."
