Pardew vows to fight on

London - Beleaguered Newcastle manager Alan Pardew has insisted on Thursday that he doesn't fear the sack because he hasn't discussed his future with owner Mike Ashley.

Pardew has been subjected to calls for his sacking from Newcastle fans unhappy with the team's dismal start to the Premier League season.

A 4-0 defeat at Southampton on Saturday left winless Newcastle bottom of the table and, with fans planning to protest against Pardew when Hull visit St James' Park on Saturday, Ashley met with Pardew to discuss the crisis.

But despite reports he is on the verge of being sacked, Pardew, who signed an eight-year contract with Newcastle in 2012, is adamant there was no suggestion from Ashley that he is running out of time to save his job.

"It didn't really come up, if I'm honest. If it sounds like I'm trying to fudge the issue, then I'm not." Pardew said.

"We talked about the team and a couple of things that were a problem within the team, and also about the performance.

"He was upset about the performance, and that's what we focused on.

"I didn't ask for any reassurance. All I know is that I signed a long contract here, for good and bad."

After opting not to take part in the end of season lap of honour last term amid fears his presence would incite Newcastle's supporters, Pardew was already well aware a significant portion of the fanbase are against him.

And the Magpies boss knows they will be determined to vent their frustrations again this weekend.

"The environment for the players on Saturday will probably be as tough as it's ever been and we have to accept that, knowing that Hull will come and try to make good use of our situation," Pardew said.

"The one thing we both agreed on was that we really needed to focus on this Saturday and try to get a win for the football club.

"It's very important that certain issues -- particularly the issue regarding me -- have to take a bit of a back seat."