Newcastle United defender Mike Williamson has insisted that his side have to show character to find their form following their poor start to the season.

The Magpies are currently bottom of the Premier League, and are without a win since the start of the campaign in the top flight, which has seen pressure continue to build on manager Alan Pardew.

Williamson told the club's official website: "We have a young squad and it's fair to say there is a bit of belief missing in there at the moment. But there's no hiding place - you have to step up, keep going, stick your chest out and put your body on the line week in, week out.

"The lads are gutted in the changing room. Some of our games this season have been all about really fine margins and on a different day we could have been sat pretty in the table with a very different atmosphere.

"But that isn't the case, and when things are going against you, you have to show your character. We have got that in the dressing room and need to keep showing it."

Newcastle face Swansea City in their Premier League clash on Saturday.