Newcastle manager Alan Pardew has thanked the club's fans for their support, and feels the St James' Park faithful are one of the main reasons for the Tyneside outfit's excellent start to the season.

The Magpies are unbeaten in their first nine games, and can move into third place in the standings if they remain undefeated after the game with Stoke on Monday night.

Despite losing the likes of Joey Barton, Jose Enrique and Kevin Nolan over the summer, the Geordies have excelled, and Pardew has praised the supporters for their part in the team's success.

"I think it's very important that you have a good feeling running through the club, from the terraces right down to the pitchside," he told Sky Sports.

"I think there's a trust from the terraces in what we're doing, especially in the players that we have.

"That trust has come out in a number of areas this year that have seen us get victories. And you can't do that without the tremendous backing that we've got here.

"I think they see that we're trying to do it the right way, approaching the game in the right style, and hopefully producing football that makes them want to come back every week.

"The support helps when bad days come along, and they will come along. We're going to have some tough days and if they trust that the management and the players are doing everything to try to win the game then they'll stay with you," he concluded.

By Gareth McKnight

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