Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer has urged fans to back manager Sam Allardyce after their disappointing defeat at Derby on Monday night.

He said: "I think what is needed is some stability in the manager's office.

"There has been too much chopping and changing over the years and that has not lent itself to the level of consistency that tends to bring success.

"Look at the top clubs and you see long-serving managers who have been given time to develop their strategies and build winning teams.

"You have to be patient through the bad times. The best example of this was at Manchester United, who stuck firmly behind Sir Alex Ferguson during the early days.

"It would have been easy to sack him back then, but they remained loyal and were rewarded with one of the most successful periods in their famous history.

"Newcastle need to show the same faith in their manager - once they have established who is the right man for the job.

"The problem is discovering the right person to satisfy the overwhelming desire of the supporters to see their club on top of the pile.

"It will take a big man to do it and when Newcastle find him, they have to stick with him."