91�ȱ�

Newcastle boss Steve McClaren has warned that "change is painful" after getting the backing of managing director Lee Charnley.

The Magpies have not won a Premier League game this term and were beaten by Championship side Sheffield Wednesday in the League Cup in midweek.

"We are changing a lot - philosophy, culture, standards, training and style," said McClaren.

Charnley said there will be no "panic" over the club's poor form.

McClaren says wholesale changes have been necessary since he took over from John Carver in the summer.

"We are going through change, and change is painful, tough and hard," added the former England manager.

"Why are we wanting change? Because we've won five games in 32.

"When we get it right, it'll be good."

Charnley, who was appointed managing director in April 2014, said that the club was united behind McClaren.

"We are not in the business of apportioning blame," he wrote in an email to fans.

"We are a team, from boardroom to the boot room, and will respond like one."

Newcastle are currently second-bottom of the league table, above north-east rivals Sunderland on goal difference.

McClaren - who has won only three games in his past 21 in charge of Newcastle and Derby County - admitted after the defeat by Wednesday that the club was "very close to a crisis" and his side face champions Chelsea on Saturday, kick-off 17:30 BST.

A fans' group claimed that the club will always struggle while owner Mike Ashley is in charge, while former midfielder Jermaine Jenas blamed a lack of leadership for their poor start in his

Charnley added: "After six league games the truth is we have not achieved the points that any of us had hoped and expected we would do.

"None of us can, or will, shirk the responsibility for this situation. Now is the time for collective action, and for us to find solutions to the problems rather than allow ourselves to be consumed by them.

"We don't have the time nor the inclination to feel sorry for ourselves. That would not serve us well."