Nigel Pearson has admitted that players and staff feel 'vulnerable' by the managerial uncertainty at St James' Park.
Caretaker boss unsettled by managerial uncertainty
Newcastle caretaker boss Nigel Pearson has admitted that players and staff feel 'vulnerable' as a result of the ongoing managerial uncertainty at St James' Park.
Pearson has been placed in temporary charge of the Magpies following the departure of former manager Sam Allardyce and oversaw Saturday's 6-0 hammering at the hands of Manchester United.
Newcastle have seen No.1 target and Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp turn down the vacant St James' Park hot seat and it is now understood that club owner Mike Ashley and chairman Chris Mort are in discussions with Gerard Houllier.
And Pearson has revealed that ahead of Wednesday's FA Cup third round replay with Stoke, players and staff at Newcastle feel unsettled by the ongoing speculation surrounding the club.
Responsibility
"It has not been an easy time for us," Pearson told
Sky Sports News.
"We all have a responsibility to get on as best we can and in all honesty up at the training ground we've done that.
"We have to try and maintain our dignity, be professional and affect what we can affect on the pitch.
"That is not easy because there is a lot of uncertainty, and players and staff are feeling vulnerable.
Reputation
"But having said that we have to put those personal feelings to one side. Our reputations are on the line."
Pearson has also confirmed that Joey Barton has returned to training with the Newcastle squad.
Barton was arrested on 27th December and is facing charges of actual bodily harm and affray, but the midfielder has resumed training with Newcastle within his conditional bail.
"Bail rulings are in place," Pearson added. "At some point Joey had to be re-introduced to training because at the end of the day he is one of our players and it is a part of his rehabilitation.
"He has got back involved over the last few days to reassess his fitness and outside of that I cannot really comment."
