Newcastle's players MUST take responsibility on the pitch if club is to stay up

The club has been in and around the Premier League’s relegation zone all season.

There are just 12 games left this term – and time is running out for McClaren and his team.

Newcastle take on Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium tonight looking to end a run of six successive away defeats in all competitions.

The fixture is followed by a home game against relegation rivals Bournemouth on Saturday – and head coach McClaren knows his job is on the line.

Defender Taylor, however, feels it is down to the players to dig the club out of trouble between now and the end of the campaign.

Asked if the players were still behind McClaren, he said: “Yes. We have to support each other. The main thing is the players on the pitch. We perform.

“We’re the ones who have to go out there and get results.”

United conceded three goals in the first 17 minutes against Chelsea last month, and long-serving Taylor believes he and his team-mates must quickly get on the front foot at the Britannia Stadium if they are to take something from the game.

“We know we have to come out of the traps at Stoke,” said the 30-year-old.

“One thing is for sure, we have to take the game to teams.

“We need the results. We need three points – it’s as simple as that.”

Taylor returned to McClaren’s starting XI last month after recovering from a long-term hamstring problem.