ALAN PARDEW has described the ongoing criticism of his own position as “mass hysteria” and again insisted he will not be stepping down from his role as Newcastle United manager despite this weekend’s planned protests.

An anti-Pardew website has arranged for thousands of placards to be taken into St James’ Park ahead of tomorrow’s home game with Hull City, with a large number of flags and banners also expected to be present urging the manager’s dismissal.

It is understood extra security staff have been recruited in anticipation of a large-scale protest that will eclipse the dissatisfaction that was expressed during last season’s home game with Cardiff City, and Pardew accepts tomorrow is like to be the most difficult day of his Tyneside tenure.

Nevertheless, having held a lengthy discussion with Magpies owner Mike Ashley in the wake of last weekend’s 4-0 defeat to Southampton, the embattled boss insists he is ready for whatever abuse is hurled in his direction.

“The situation at the moment is almost like mass hysteria, to a degree,” said Pardew. “It’s really gone to a level which makes it really difficult for players to perform in, but I’m still hoping we can turn that around.

“It has been suggested that I don’t care about this position, and that I’ve got this long contract so I’m going through the motions – nothing could be further from the truth. I was absolutely sick after the game on Saturday, and the performance we put in was just not worthy of this football club.

“I’ve been accused of not taking responsibility for the defeat, but I think a lot of that is because I won’t criticise the players. But I love this football club.

“I have been hurt this week, but for me, it’s really about, ‘What can I do then?’ Well, I’m under contract at this football club, and therefore I have to make sure I do the best possible job I can under the circumstances. That’s what I’m doing.”

Nevertheless, there is an argument that simply by being in the dug-out tomorrow, Pardew is making it more difficult for his players to get the positive result they need to lift themselves off the foot of the Premier League table.

If Pardew was to step down, much of the anger and frustration in the stands would dissipate, and some have argued that financial considerations are dictating his decision to remain in his post.

Unsurprisingly, Pardew disputes that analysis, and insists his personality and character make it impossible for him to even consider walking away from St James’.

“I’m pulled here and there, but as soon as I say, ‘Right, that’s me’, then I can’t offer any help to anyone,” he said. “That’s not the way I am, and it’s not the way I’ve been made. I’ll constantly be thinking, ‘What can I do to address this problem or improve this player’ until such time as I’m told I can’t. That’s how I’ve always worked, and how I’ll always be.

“You can’t be in this job as long as I have been without having some tough days. This will be one of my toughest, but there is a resilience in my soul. It’s not an arrogance or my ego getting carried away – that’s not the reason I’m going to front it out.

“It’s about being professional and going out there this weekend and being as strong as we can be. We will be trying to win back as many fans as we can with our performance – even if it’s just one that would help.”

Pardew spoke with Ashley on Sunday, and the pair discussed possible on and off-field changes that could help improve things ahead of tomorrow’s game with a Hull side that will not feature the ineligible Hatem Ben Arfa.

However, Pardew did not seek any assurances regarding his position, and Ashley did not discuss what could happen if Newcastle were to suffer another defeat this weekend.

“We didn’t have a conversation regarding my position,” said Pardew. “He was upset with the performance and I think he has every right to be as an owner. I told him some things I think should be sorted out, and some things that can help me.

“At the end of the day, Mike and myself do not want Newcastle to lose. We want to have the best possible team and we want to win. Now, at the moment, we haven’t got that. So how are we going to achieve it? I think it was about how he could help and support me this week, and I appreciate that.”

Meanwhile, assistant manager John Carver and goalkeeping coach Andy Woodman issued a statement yesterday apologising for their conduct last weekend. Carver was involved in an altercation with a group of supporters before kick off at St Mary’s, while Woodman commented on the incident on Twitter.

“I was met with abuse from one supporter and I regret that I responded inappropriately,” said Carver. “I sincerely apologise for any offence caused by my reaction. Every fan is entitled to an opinion, positive or negative, and I respect that.”