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Match report: Southampton v Newcastle
Alan Pardew, who's future at the Magpies was the talking point before the fixture, is now the bookmakers favourite to be the next manager to be relieved of his duties.
"It [the scrutiny] is not going to help because the performance from the start put us on the back foot," Pardew told the BBC.
"The fans were on us from the start, on me in particular. That didn't help the situation."
"The criticisms [from the fans] are fair. You can't get beaten 4-0 - I've had a few of those at the club," said Pardew.
"We have to be strong and tough it out. We have to put
ourselves on the line and be brave. We have more quality than we showed
today."
Two goal hero on the day, Graziano Pelle, admitted he is now finding his feet at Southampton after a tough transitional period in England.
“At the beginning of the season, it wasn’t easy for me because of my body – I’m big and I needed time,” the striker told saintsfc.com.
“I’d changed competitions and this a really tough one that I have to get used to, but I don’t like to find excuses.
“The first two games were good for me to adapt, but I had to do more. Now I am happy that I am doing well.
“Already you are probably starting to know me and how I am, and I am a really positive guy,” added the Italian forward.
“I know that football players cannot always play a good game, so I always look to improve and the last period has gone really well but I hope to keep going.
“[Scoring] is part of my job. I have to play for the team and be strong – everybody expects that – but it’s also important to score. When we win and I score, it’s double the happiness.
