Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew has described the fan campaign to have him sacked as "mass hysteria".
The Magpies boss is facing 15,000 posters and 200 banners calling for him to be ousted when his side faces Hull City this weekend, and he believes that the protest will have a negative impact on the team.
"This situation at the moment is almost like mass hysteria, to a degree. It's really gone to a level which makes it really difficult for players to perform in. I am hoping we can turn that around," The Mirror quotes him as saying.
"Am I the best person to sort it out? I think so, but I don't think our fans agree with that! They [the local paper] did a poll today - 98% didn't want me, so I am up a few percent."
Pardew, who has won just five of his last 25 matches in charge at Newcastle, is under increasing pressure following a poor start to the season.
The 53-year old recently held crisis talks with owner Mike Ashley, but he remains adamant that he is "fighting for his job".
Mark Langshaw
