SLOG ON THE TYNE

Manquillo: It’s doom and gloom but squad must be united to avoid drop

JAVIER MANQUILLO has lifted the lid on the “doom and gloom” that has accompanied Newcastle’s slide towards the drop zone.

Tyneside’s Spanish defender admitted Toon morale hit rockbottom following the abject 3-0 defeat by Brighton before the international break.

Newcastle are on a run of just two wins in 20 games and are odds-on with bookies to go down alongside Sheffield United and West Brom.

Manquillo gave an insight into the mood after the Brighton game, when Newcastle showed little fight. “After the game it was all doom and gloom,” he said. “Nothing went right on the night at Brighton because we knew it was a really big opportunity to gain a boost in confidence. One way or another we really missed out on the chance.

“The atmosphere after missing out on that opportunity and losing 3-0... well, it was tough to take and everybody realised that. Now I think we have to reassess things and think about the next game.”

Following criticism that the players have had too many days off, Newcastle stars trained three times last week and started preparations on Monday for Sunday’s visit of Tottenham.

Manquillo (above) added: “I think this international break

Pcame at the right time for us because after such a tough defeat we needed to draw a line under it and have a turning point.

“We now need to put it out of our minds and focus on the next nine games ahead. We are convinced results will come if we perform well. Everybody is working really hard right now because we know that every one of those nine games is going to be difficult and we have to give everything in them. Now we all have to be more united to get us out of this situation.

“If we don’t stick together we can’t achieve anything – everyone in the squad realises that.”

Despite Newcastle’s slump,

WDLFAmanager Steve Bruce retains the backing of owner Mike Ashley and MD Lee Charnley.

He is determined to see out his contract which lasts until 2022. That means the Newcastle fans who want him out – and they appear to be in the majority – are set to be disappointed. Bruce (below) will use this week to clear the air with his players who will be urged to show pride and a responsibility to the club to drag them clear of third-bottom Fulham.

The mood has lifted since the Brighton defeat, when many expected Bruce to be fired.

The return of Allan Saint-Maximin (groin) and Callum Wilson (hamstring) to full training gives them a chance of a recall on Sunday against Jose Mourinho’s men.