Taylor faces two months out as Newcastle injuries mount

The Magpies’ less than impressive start to life under McClaren has prompted scathing responses from some pundits, among them Gary Neville, Jamie Carragher and former Newcastle skipper Alan Shearer.

Newcastle are only spared being at the foot of the table because of a better goal difference than Sunderland – with the rivals due to face each other on October 25.

But McClaren, who won the League Cup with Middlesbrough in 2004, accepts that improving Newcastle’s Premier League form over the next few weeks is essential. “It is a massive game for us, no two ways about it”.

Newcastle are winless in the league so far this season and host Sheffield Wednesday in the League Cup third round on Wednesday.

“Everyone believes we can do it”, said de Jong.

“It’s not a concern about all the results, but we want to win”.

McClaren says he understands why fans may be getting anxious but, having only taken charge in the summer, he has asked for patience and has vowed that he will succeed at St James’ Park in the end.

“Steve McClaren has bought in some of his own players and one or two of them do look ok – but to bring in more foreign players when you already have loads there… it is a tough league to hit running and not a lot of players do get it”.

Speaking to NUFCTV, Aarons said:, “I think obviously everyone is very disappointed (with the Watford result) but everyone is focused now and understands what he’s going and knows what we need to get results”. We want to win as much as everybody else. “That’s the character we need”.

“I respect the people who are criticising, but we know what is going on, we don’t need to be told”.

“That is not the kind of mix that you want”.