Alan Pardew: 'The pressure is on'

Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew has admitted that there is "monster pressure" on his side ahead of Saturday's visit of Queens Park Rangers in the Premier League.

The Magpies go into the match against their fellow strugglers at St James' Park just two points clear of the relegation zone.

"We're going to have a lot of pressure this week," Pardew told reporters.

"QPR will be expected to lose, so they can come and play with a little bit of freedom – but not us.

"We're going to have to play under monster pressure. The fans need to be right on our side, whatever happens – even if QPR go 2-0 up."

Saturday's visitors to the North-East picked up their first win of the season last weekend as they beat Fulham 2-1.