Newcastle Utd boss Alan Pardew defiant in face of critics

Pardew was booed by his own fans during matches at the end of last season but stayed in his job

Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew is remaining defiant despite the growing pressure on his position at the club.

United have yet to win a league game this season and a poll of 5,000 fans, carried out by a local newspaper, gave Pardew an 85% disapproval rating.

The club have also been criticised for their transfer activity this summer and their failure to sign another striker.

But Pardew insisted: "I think we're good enough this year and I think our results will reflect that."

In reference to dissatisfaction at the job he is doing, which included the negative poll, undertaken by Newcastle's evening newspaper, the Evening Chronicle, Pardew said: "I'm afraid it's part and parcel of the Premier League.

"We have not won a game yet, so the teams that haven't won a game, the pressure is on those particular managers - more so on me because of the back end of last year, when we weren't good enough."

During the recent transfer window, Newcastle brought in a number of players, including midfielders Siem de Jong and Remy Cabella and forward Emmanuel Riviere.

But the club has been criticised for the players they have lost, particularly Mathieu Debuchy, who joined Arsenal for £12m, and Hatem Ben Arfa, who was allowed to join Hull on loan on deadline day.

"As far as we are concerned, what's important with the players here is that they represent the jersey with honesty and truth and love," said Pardew.

"That's all we concentrate on, the players we have here."

Speculation is mounting that Newcastle owner Mike Ashley is ready to sell the club in order to pursue the purchase of Scottish side Rangers.

The sportswear magnate bought Newcastle in 2007 and has tried to sell it on a number of occasions since.

When asked about the rumours, Pardew replied: "That's news to me. I've heard no suggestion from him or any signs from him.

"He's obviously given us money to spend this summer, which we have hopefully spent well, but only time will tell on that.

"His commitment to the club is as strong as it's always been."