MD - 'We're Taking Collective Action'

By Dan King - Newcastle United Digital Editor

Lee Charnley has promised supporters that the Club is taking "collective action" to improve the team's fortunes on the pitch.

The Magpies' managing director admitted that Newcastle have had a "very disappointing start" to their Barclays Premier League campaign but says there will be no "panic" or "rash decisions."

On behalf of the Club, he also apologised for Wednesday's Capital One Cup exit to Sheffield Wednesday.

In an email to the Club's supporters, Charnley said: "We made a pledge to communicate more effectively with you and when we did so, we were aware this must be the case through thick and thin, in the bad times as well as the good."

He added: "There is no hiding from the fact that this has been a very disappointing start to our Premier League campaign, and a painful early exit from a cup competition that we were determined to give everything in this year. We apologise to you for this.

"After six league games the truth is we have not achieved the points that any of us had hoped and expected we would do.

"None of us can, or will, shirk the responsibility for this situation. Now is the time for collective action, and for us to find solutions to the problems rather than allow ourselves to be consumed by them.

"It is important to state that we bear collective responsibility for our position in the table. Identifying the problems in order to find the solutions is crucial, but we are not in the business of apportioning blame. We are a team, from the boardroom to the boot room, and we will respond like one.

"So we have sat down as a collective - myself with Steve and his coaching team, and Steve with his players - to discuss the concerns and to look for the solutions together.

"Whilst we are all unhappy, we must not panic or make rash decisions. We should not forget we are still relatively early into the season with lots of games to go and points to play for. Whilst you may be tired of hearing this, I believe, as we have said from the start, all of this rebuilding and reshaping isn't something that can happen overnight; it will take time to see the benefit of the changes we made during the summer."

He continued: "We recognise that you will be frustrated and of course, as people who invest heavily - financially and emotionally - in this Club, you have the right to express your dissatisfaction at the results, as you have done on recent matchdays. We deserved that criticism and reaction. But you can also play a huge part in helping the players to fight their way out of our current predicament.

"We regularly talk about the importance of confidence and the momentum that a single victory can bear in turning around the fortunes of a team. To turn things around our players need to be brave - brave on the ball, demand the ball, and attack with courage and conviction, without fear. I hope those of you attending on Saturday, and at future games, home or away, will really get behind the team and help give them the confidence to play and express themselves the way we know they can.

"We don't have the time nor the inclination to feel sorry for ourselves. That would not serve us well. We are all in this together and we will get out of it together as a team. We view you, our supporters, as an important part of that team. Now is the time to show determination, resilience and fight and together, over the coming weeks, change the course of this season for the better."

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