Mark Hughes sympathises with under-fire Alan Pardew

Stoke City manager Mark Hughes has admitted that he sympathises with under-fire Newcastle United boss Alan Pardew.

Stoke beat the Magpies 1-0 at the Britannia Stadium last night in a defeat that piles more pressure on Pardew as winless Newcastle sit second from bottom in the standings.

However, Hughes, who has previously been sacked by Manchester City and Queens Park Rangers, hopes that the 53-year-old can turn things around in the North-East.

"I wish Alan Pardew well. It's not easy, I've been in that situation," he told BBC Sport.

"All you can do is work hard and he will be working with his staff to turn things around. They played well for him tonight and that will encourage him."

Newcastle travel to South Wales to face Swansea City on Saturday.