Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce is losing sleep over his side's struggle for Barclays Premier League points.
However, the 53-year-old will leave no stone unturned as he attempts to inspire a revival, starting with the daunting visit of leaders Arsenal to St James' Park tomorrow night.
Allardyce's players have also given him their public support following reports that a number of the squad complained to him about tactics and selection in the light of recent poor results.
The former Bolton boss enjoyed something of an Indian sign over the Gunners during the latter years of his reign at Reebok Stadium and an extension of that impressive record could not come at a better time.
Newcastle have gone five games without a win following Saturday's 3-1 defeat at Blackburn and when asked if that run was costing him sleep, Allardyce replied: "Yes. I don't really sleep much anyway, to be honest with you, even less when I am in a position like I am in now, because you want to look at yourself first.
"You are the one who has to change what you need to change and the way you are going to go about your job is very important in terms of the people who look up to see if they get the leadership they need to pull them through it.
"I know I can do that. We know at the end of the day, if we all stick together and produce performances at the sort of level we did on Saturday, we will.
"I have got to reinforce that with the players and show them the way forward, and they have got to keep believing in themselves and us as a unit and come through the difficult period we are in.
"We are all uncomfortable with the situation at the moment, we are all getting a little bit desperate.
"But at the end of the day, the judgement comes at 38 games for me, not at 14."
Goalkeepers Shay Given and Steve Harper this morning did their best to play down any reports of unrest at the club by issuing a joint statement.
It had been claimed that a protest was made by several squad members after the side's heavy defeat by Liverpool on November 24.
The statement read: "We feel it is vitally important that Newcastle United's two longest-serving players set the record straight.
"The story that has appeared is total and utter nonsense. Sam Allardyce has the full backing and support of every Newcastle United player and we are all working together as one to bring success to the football club.
"It is mischief-making of the highest order and appears designed to unsettle everyone on the eve of our big game against Arsenal on Wednesday night."
Allardyce now clearly needs a result against Arsenal to ease the pressure with bookmakers having slashed odds on former skipper Alan Shearer replacing him.
Allardyce became a thorn in Gunners boss Arsene Wenger's side as his Bolton team repeatedly got the better of the Londoners, sparking a series of spats between the two managers.
"It would be a terrific victory if we could achieve it and, at this particular time, the most important one," Allardyce said.
"The key element to begin with is to stop the opposition because this is Arsenal, probably the best team in the Premier League at the moment home and away.
"You must stop them producing their strengths and then try to, when in possession, use the ball in the correct manner and make sure you get at their defence when you can.
"Given the right gameplan and 11 players taking that on to the field and having the belief that that gameplan will work will bring them a result.
"There's always a chance for even a top team to have an off day and you can take advantage of that, but if you are to beat them when they come and play like they normally can, then tactically, you have got to be 100% at putting that gameplan into action and then you can get something out of the game."
Newcastle's challenge will once again be hampered by injuries with defenders Abdoulaye Faye (calf) and Stephen Carr (hamstring) major doubts after picking up their injuries at Blackburn, although Steven Taylor could return.
The game will be the Magpies' first at St James' since they were slated by their own fans following the 3-0 defeat by Liverpool, and since Joey Barton's weekend comments over their "vicious" response.
