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Alan Pardew admits 'pressure builds'

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew still believes he has a "long-term" future at the club despite six consecutive defeats and growing unrest among fans.

Magpies supporters vented their anger during a comprehensive 3-0 defeat by Arsenal on Monday.

"I know they're disappointed and angry at the moment that we haven't got a result," said Pardew.

But he added: "I'm looking at the job as a long-term opportunity for myself. That's how you have to focus."

Newcastle nightmares The Magpies have scored only 10 league goals in 2014, the fewest in the division

They have scored one and conceded 17 in their six losses in a row

Newcastle started the year only four points off a Champions League position.

During the first half of the season, they defeated Manchester United at Old Trafford for the first time in the league since 1972 and had also recorded back-to-back wins over Chelsea and Tottenham.

By the halfway stage, they were eighth and had 33 points from 19 games.

But since the departure of influential midfielder Yohan Cabaye to Paris St-Germain at the end of the January transfer window, the Magpies have picked up only nine points from a possible 39.

On Monday, goals from Laurent Koscielny, Mesut Ozil and Olivier Giroud ensured that Newcastle's miserable run continued.

They had failed to score for the fifth time in six matches and have now found the net just 13 times in their last 18 games.

Fans at Emirates Stadium carried banners stating "Pardew out" and chanted "six in a row" in reference to their worst run since 1986-87.

Pardew, who was given an eight-year contract in 2012, said he could understand their feelings.

Form in last six league Premier League matches P W D L F A Pts 18. Norwich 6 1 0 5 4 12 3 19. Aston Villa 6 0 1 5 4 15 1 20. Newcastle 6 0 0 6 1 17 0

"I've got the greatest support in the country but not when you have six defeats next to your name," he said.

"It's not comfortable and it's a pressure that's on us all. It's important if you're leading a group to be strong. The media don't leave you alone and you have to show character."

Pardew, who returned to the touchline on Monday following a seven-game ban, has not given up hope of finishing the season on a high.

He said his team intended to remain in the top 10, where they have been all season, and called on the supporters to get behind the team in Saturday's home game against Cardiff.

Newcastle fans chanted "Pardew out" during Monday's match at the Emirates Stadium

"The only way we can get out of this run is to show more character on Saturday like we did in the second half against Arsenal," he added.

"I know the fans will make the stadium positive for us because the players need that confidence.

"In the first half of the campaign, people might say we excelled to a degree, but I thought we gave good value for money for this football club. But in the second half, we haven't."

Pardew is already targeting potential transfers for the summer to strengthen his squad.

"We're going to work hard in the summer to make sure we have a team that can make this city proud," he said.