Pierre Sage addresses criticism following Crystal Palace's Newcastle defeat

Crystal Palace manager Pierre Sage insists there is a constructive atmosphere within the club despite a disappointing 0-2 home defeat to Newcastle. The result has increased pressure on the manager, as the team is struggling following a heavy 0-5 loss to Brighton in the previous round.

Following the final whistle on Sunday, some home supporters voiced their frustration. Sage remained composed when addressing the fans' reaction: "The whistling is normal because we don't have the results. The noise is a consequence of the result, and at the moment, we don't have what we expect."

The noise around the team and the club is just noise. Inside, we are just focused on solutions. How to get better, how to create conditions for competition. Pierre Sage

The French manager confirmed that he held discussions with chairman Steve Parish this week, though he maintained the conversation focused on tactical plans and the team's current state rather than his potential dismissal. Sage also expressed confidence that the board and his squad still support his efforts to turn the situation around.

Currently, Crystal Palace sits in 17th place in the Premier League with 7 points from 8 matches. The team is hovering just above the relegation zone, making the upcoming fixtures critical for their season.