The pressure is mounting on Allardyce at Newcastle

Allardyce admitted the pressure was mounting after the Magpies lost to Manchester City at home on Wednesday - their third successive defeat.

But Butt said: "Things will never improve unless he's given time. I've been here for three-and-a-half years and I've had four managers.

"Sooner or later someone has got to say this is the manager we're standing by."

Newcastle face high-flying Championship side Stoke in the FA Cup third round on Sunday and defeat would make Allardyce's position even more precarious after only seven months in charge.

606: DEBATE Give him a year to get his hands on the team and he'll make us a top-six side I'm sure MickeyToon

However, Butt, who spent 11 years under Sir Alex Ferguson at former club Manchester United, is convinced stability is the key to long-term success.

"If you look at all the big teams, like United and Arsenal, they're the clubs that have stood by managers for a long time," he said.

"If we do that, I'm sure we'll do it right."

The 32-year-old added: "These are tough times at the moment but all of us in the dressing room just have to stand up and be counted.

"Lately, there have been signs we are improving. Had we taken one of our chances when we lost 2-0 against Manchester City on Wednesday, it could have been a different story. We didn't and we have to kick on."