THREE defeats in as many matches has dropped confidence to a new low since Glenn Roeder took over caretaker responsibility at Newcastle United.

But, with eight games remaining, starting tomorrow at Charlton, Roeder insists this is not a time for self-pity and that the whole of the Magpies squad need to perform to their optimum.

A failure to do that and, according to the temporary boss, that could have a serious impact on whether they are still at St James' Park next season.

Suspended full-back Robbie Elliott, out of contract in the summer, has already spoken of his belief that the final run-in will be monitored closely by the candidates for the Newcastle job full-time.

And Roeder, who retains an expectancy that he will resume his Academy director role come the close-season, is urging all of the club's players to prove how much they want to stay on Tyneside.

When the new manager does come in he is likely to discuss the squad with the man who has filled the breach and steadied the ship since the departure of Graeme Souness.

And Roeder, knowing the only chance of success this season is if they make up the ten point gap and claim an unlikely place in the UEFA Cup next season, said: "Players are playing for personal pride. Where I come from there is nothing worse than going home thinking I've not given my best or looking at your team-mate knowing he is thinking that about you.

"The new manager, whoever he is, will be looking very closely at these players.

"There must be people out there with an ambition to manage this football club and they will be looking at these last eight games very closely.

"If the players don't perform I can't imagine the new manager will want them.

"If that's the case, whoever those players are, their career can go only go downwards. You don't leave Newcastle and go to a better club.

"This is, to quote Jose, a special club."

The manager that is installed on a permanent basis could still be part of an Intertoto Cup push, with Newcastle yet to confirm whether or not they have applied to be in the much-maligned competition.

If Roeder was in charge he is of the opinion that playing competitively so early into pre-season would do more harm than good, suggesting that last summer's European exertions cost Souness' reign dear.

"I suppose I am saying that, potentially, entering the Intertoto would do that," said Roeder.

"If you operate with a small squad of first team players it's a risk.

"If you have a squad of 22 first team players you can dip your players in and out. If you have 14 or 15 first team players you are risking injuries.

"Nobody knows more than me the importance of the first five games of the season. The records show that after six games, of the three teams at the bottom, two are relegated.

"Graeme suffered because his squad was too small, it caught him out that when your major first team players are injured, the depth of the squad wasn't there.

"We don't have that advantage of a massive squad."

Roeder, meanwhile, has revealed referee Steve Bennett has admitted he was wrong to send off Elliott at Chelsea on Wednesday night.

The left-back was issued a second booking when Shaun Wright-Phillips clearly fell to the floor without making contact with the Newcastle man.

Despite Mr Bennett's retraction FIFA do not allow yellow cards to be rescinded and Roeder said: "Mr Bennett has been big enough to say he made a wrong call, but because the loop hole has been shut, Robbie is still suspended and we just have to accept that.

"When Shaun fell over my feelings were of surprise because I watched Shaun play many times for Manchester City and he was impossible to knock over. You couldn't knock him over."

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