JAMES Perch says the belief in Newcastle United’s dressing room remains intact – despite a run of five games without victory.
Perch and his team-mates were held to a goalless draw by Swansea City at St James’s Park on Saturday.
And Alan Pardew’s side – which was fourth in the Premier League for so long – ended the weekend in seventh place.
However, Newcastle are still well ahead of where they were this time last year, and having faced the two Manchester clubs and Chelsea in recent weeks, the club’s run without a win hasn’t dented confidence, according to Perch.
“We’ve never thought it was doom and gloom here,” Perch told the Gazette.
“Even after the Chelsea game, it wasn’t doom and gloom in the dressing room. All it’s been about is dusting ourselves down and getting a positive result.
“If you look at the way we’ve played, and the results we’ve picked up, people will be talking about us like they have been, and about being in the top six or top 10.
“It’s just down to belief in the dressing room – we know how good we are, and what we can do. That’s the main thing.”
Perch was handed his second Premier League start of the season against Swansea, and the defender – whose career at St James’s Park has largely been spent on the fringes – was assured alongside fit-again captain Fabricio Coloccini.
United dominated the game, but they couldn’t find a way past a dogged and determined defence and goalkeeper Michel Vorm on a frustrating afternoon.
“Overall, we had the better of the game and the chances,” added Perch.
“For some reason, we didn’t take them. We were unlucky – we hit the post, and the keeper pulled off some good saves.
“We’ve kept the clean sheet, but we’d expect that anyway.
“They’d have been delighted to get out of here at 0-0. We aren’t too disappointed. After the Norwich result (a 4-2 defeat), getting a clean sheet was a must.”
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