Newcastle United forward Shola Ameobi has backed manager Alan Pardew and believes the Toon boss should be supported in the transfer market over the summer.
Were it not for a positive first half of the season, Newcastle would have found themselves battling for Premier League survival on their current form.
Despite five straight defeats and only four victories in their last 17 games since Boxing Day, the Magpies still find themselves in ninth place in the table.
The loss of midfield playmaker Yohan Cabaye over the January transfer window certainly didn’t help the Newcastle cause and injuries to key personnel have seen confidence levels drop at St James’ Park.
However, Ameobi still believes Pardew is the right man for the job and feels recent criticism of the manager has been harsh.
He told BBC Newcastle: “We need quality players and we need a quality squad as well.
“That is something the club have to put right for next season.
“We have limited resources at the moment and when we lose one or two key players it hurts the team badly.
“That is what the manager has had to put up with, unfortunately.”
With no fear of relegation or a chance of European football, Newcastle have three remaining games against Arsenal, Cardiff City and Liverpool.
With all those teams having something to play for at this business end of the campaign it would not be surprising to see the Magpie’ poor form continue before a potential reshuffle over the summer.
Arsenal are 1.25 to beat Newcastle at the Emirates on Monday.
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