Toon stars rally round Souey

Newcastle's under-fire manager Graeme Souness has received the public backing of the St James' Park dressing room.

Souness's 18-month tenure appears to be hanging by a thread after a meeting with Magpies chairman Freddy Shepherd on Monday afternoon.

Saturday's 1-0 home defeat to Blackburn was followed by a vitriolic demonstration of some 600 supporters demanding the sacking of Souness.

But United defender Peter Ramage insists the Scot can call on the full support of his players in this, his hour of need.

"It's hard for us as players to hear that because he's a brilliant man to work for," said 22-year-old Ramage.

"He manages how he played, with 100% commitment and determination, and it's good to see he's determined to turn it around.

"We are fully behind him, every single one of those players in the dressing room is behind him, so it's hard to hear for us what the fans are chanting.

"But they are more than entitled to their opinion."

Ramage, a product of the Magpies youth system, believes it is the playing squad who should bear the responsibility for another disappointing season and not Souness.

"They pay for their season tickets and to come and watch the games and they deserve to be entertained, and at the end of the day, it's down to the players the position we are in, not the manager," added Ramage.

"He picks the team, but I bet he wishes he could get his boots on and get out and help, he's that kind of guy.

"He's given me my chance, he's kick-started my career and I have got nothing but admiration for him."