​McClaren urges Newcastle supporters to continue their backing

Newcastle boss Steve McClaren understands the fans frustration with the recent 1-1 home draw with bottom of the table Aston Villa but asks them to continue their backing.

McClaren says he can understand the supporters' frustrations but is keen to move on and has called on them to play their part with another difficult game in prospect against Everton.

"It's three games, seven points, we'd have taken that well before the Liverpool game," he said. "So we have just got to continue, that's gone and it's Everton next - tough, tough opponents and a very good team.

"The crowd, the majority of the time, were excellent against Aston Villa. They were horrendous conditions, it was a real level playing field the game and everybody got soaked and were frustrated at times, so we have just got to press on against Everton.

"The crowd are going to be important again on Boxing Day. We are going to need them right behind us.

"The frustration was there [against Villa] and we were exactly the same. It's the same around every ground, no fans are any different - they want to see their team win.

"We had a 15-minute spell in the game where Aston Villa got on top, but we came back well and ended the game well which really pleased me."