Pressure mounts on Allardyce

As the January transfer window approaches it will be Newcastle manager Sam Allardyce who will be wondering where his future lies.

Following the latest defeat in the Barclays Premier League at struggling Wigan, he admitted that he does not trust his players to save him from the chop.

As the Magpies went down 1-0 at the JJB Stadium fans already fuming at Sunday's 2-2 home draw with Derby vented their anger with the manager once again.

But Newcastle midfielder Damien Duff has admitted Allardyce's under-achieving players must take the blame for their club's woeful Christmas.

The 28-year-old midfielder said: "Newcastle is obviously a big club, but we all love the gaffer. He cannot take all the flak. We are the ones on the pitch - so don't hammer him, hammer us."

The Magpies take on Chelsea next and they need some points after having taken just one from thier matches against Derby and Wigan.

Meanwhile, Allardyce was handed another problem courtesy of Joey Barton, who has been remanded in custody over an alleged assault until January 3.

Barton was charged with assault by Liverpool police on Thursday and the ruling by magistrates means he will also miss the home match against his former club Manchester City on New Year's Day.

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