Newcastle boss Graeme Souness (l) and Man City midfielder Joey Barton

Magpies fans quickly produced a 'Souness Out' banner during their side's woeful display at Eastlands.

But Souness vowed to stay on, saying: "I am not a quitter and will not quit."

Barton, who has asked to leave City, was initially booed but later applauded and boss Stuart Pearce said: "He should keep his mouth shut and play football."

It is a fact we are in a relegation scrap. I cannot deny that Newcastle boss Graeme Souness

Pearce is hopeful that Barton can put this week's events behind him - and urged him to concentrate on his game.

"You have to deliver and he has to do it next Saturday and for years after that and then he can get somewhere where he thinks he can be," added Pearce.

"I believe he has done totally the wrong thing and I have told him so.

"Joey has quite strong opinions, as we have seen over the last 48 hours, but he needs to put this to one side, keep his mouth shut and play football.

"In this game, I find if you put your head above the parapet, you tend to get it knocked off.

"Joey has delivered tonight but he has to keep doing it for weeks, months and years."

Souness may find it harder to win over Newcastle fans, with pressure mounting after the latest setback of a disappointing season.

The Magpies are now only six points above the Premiership drop zone and he said: "It is a fact we are in a relegation scrap. I cannot deny that.

"But this is not a time to feel sorry for ourselves, it is a time to show what we are made of.

"We have picked up one point from our last six games and I cannot defend that. It is not good enough.