Stoke City midfielder Charlie Adam has said that manager Mark Hughes should be given the opportunity to turn the club's form around after the Potters' 1-0 defeat to Newcastle United on New Year's Day.
Newcastle striker Ayoze Perez struck in the second half to send Stoke to their 12th Premier League defeat of the season and put further pressure on Welshman Hughes.
The result left Stoke two places and two points outside the relegation zone, but Adam has said that his manager should be given the time to produce a fightback.
"Of course I am [disappointed] because [Hughes] has done a wonderful job here," the 32-year-old told Sky Sports News when asked about the reaction to Hughes after the game.
"Times are tough, let's not hide from it, and we are under pressure as a group. The management team, the players, we are the ones who have to take the flak and stick. It's thoroughly deserved at the moment and it's only us who can change it.
"[Hughes] has transformed the club and hopefully he gets the opportunity to take us to the end of the season and get us out of the mess we are in. We have got characters in the dressing room, and hopefully one or two maybe in the window to liven it up, and see where that takes us."
Stoke face Coventry City in the FA Cup this weekend before travelling to Manchester United on January 15.
Jonny Whitfield
