Alan Pardew set to stay as Newcastle boss despite poor form

Pardew replaced Chris Hughton as Newcastle boss in December 2010

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew's job is thought to be safe for the time being, despite his side sitting second bottom of the Premier League.

They have yet to win a top-flight game this season and were beaten by Stoke on Monday.

Pardew's future has been in doubt and he said he expected "serious conversations" with owner Mike Ashley.

But Pardew is expected to remain in charge even if United lose to Swansea on Saturday.

Magpies owner Ashley was at the Britannia Stadium to see Newcastle's defeat by Stoke.

He was reported to have said Pardew would be sacked if the Tyneside outfit lost to Potters, with his lawyers later claiming his quotes were only a joke.

United's defeat on Monday means Newcastle have won only five of their 25 league games in 2014.

Pardew is scheduled to hold talks with Ashley this week but, although no-one at the club views the talks as a "crisis meeting", both men are aware that results must improve.

Speaking after Monday's loss, Pardew said: "We'll have some serious conversations because he doesn't want to lose and neither to do I.

"This team needs to win games. I have to turn it around."

Ashley, meanwhile, is firm in his stance that he will not be swayed by the views of the fans.

Signs reading 'Sack Pardew' were held up by a number of supporters during the game at Stoke.

It was a similar story against Hull in Pardew's previous league game but his side quelled the unrest against him by coming back from 2-0 down to earn a 2-2 draw, while they also won at Crystal Palace in the Capital One Cup.

Newcastle have scored only five goals in six matches this season