Sam Allardyce has conceded that he is “under the cosh” at Newcastle United, a scenario that applies to the dressing-room as much as the boardroom at St James’ Park. While reports that the manager could be sacked after tomorrow night’s home match against Arsenal can be discounted, he is apparently still to persuade his squad that his scientific methods will bring success to Tyneside.

A delegation of three senior players approached Allardyce after Newcastle’s 3-0 defeat by Liverpool ten days ago, when concerns were expressed about recent developments. Shay Given, the goalkeeper, was one - Allardyce denied that Michael Owen was another - and there has been further disquiet at plans for the team to spend a significant part of the festive period away from their families.

Allardyce dismissed any suggestion of a confrontation or dispute, describing the discussions as routine rather than dramatic. “Players are not happy about a lot of the stuff that I do because they are players and I’m the manager,” he said.

“I know what’s right for them and I know it more than they do. Today’s politically correct society believes it’s a disruption, but it’s an everyday occurrence as a manager.”

The club’s coaching staff is considering whether to head south rather than north after Newcastle’s Barclays Premier League match away to Wigan Athletic on Boxing Day before their fixture against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge three days later, a prospect - as yet unconfirmed - that has caused murmurs of discontent. Allardyce’s task is to convince his squad, which contains big names and personalities, that the sacrifice will be beneficial.

“When you start putting the right way forward, some of your players don’t like it, but it’s for the benefit of the team, not for one or two individuals,” Allardyce said. “Some of it sneaks in the papers and whoever did it might think it’s making a point, but it will only make me more resilient and stronger. You have to not be distracted by that and keep doing what’s right.

“It’s like players wouldn’t know what to eat or drink after games unless you told them. Once you tell them and persist, then all of a sudden they find out it is the right thing to do.

“People don’t like it when they are taken out of their comfort zone, so you have to give them the right information and tell them it’s going to make them better players.”

It would be irrelevant if Allardyce had lost the support of Mike Ashley, the Newcastle owner, but the men shared a bullish and good-humoured conversation at Ewood Park after Saturday’s 3-1 defeat by Blackburn Rovers. After hosting Arsenal, Newcastle face matches against Birmingham City (home), Fulham (away), Derby County (home) and Wigan (away), a sequence that could prove pivotal to Allardyce’s position.

Having taken only one point from the past five matches, the pressure is tangible. “I saw Mike after the game on Saturday, shook hands and had a good chat with him,” Allardyce said. “I hope that shows the strength of the relationship we’ve got. But there’s no point beating about the bush – yes, I’m under the cosh; yes, I’ve got to get results sooner rather than later and, yes, we’re having a bad time in terms of results. But it can be turned around as quickly as it’s gone bad.”

Alan Shearer, who is much admired by Ashley and Chris Mort, the chairman, as well as idolised by Newcastle supporters, would be the obvious candidate to succeed Allardyce. “I know Alan well and he’s always said that he’s not ready,” Allardyce said. “But I don’t see it as a burden. If Alan decides to take my job, I hope it’ll be when I’ve decided to leave because I’ve made the club successful.”

Allardyce, who is still at the stage of “identifying” possible targets for the transfer window, does not appear weighed down by stress. “I feel very well,” he said. “I don’t feel good because the burden lies on me more than anyone else, but I’m old enough and wise enough not to reflect that in everyday life. I know what’s right to consistently get positive results. That won’t happen by me walking around looking miserable or screaming and shouting.”