Newcastle manager Alan Pardew feels his squad owe the fans a debt following a poor campaign which ended with a 1-0 loss to Arsenal on Sunday.
Pardew’s side fell to their 19th loss of the season as Arsenal booked their spot in the UEFA Champions League thanks to Laurent Koscielny’s second-half volley.
The St James’ Park outfit did produce a more resolute display in comparison to recent home defeats to Sunderland and Liverpool, but Pardew knows his charges must improve next term.
“It was certainly a more composed performance from us, we showed that we have got class in the side and that it wasn’t going to be easy for Arsenal,” he said.
“First half we had a great period, and we really needed to score in that period and didn’t quite find the goal, and when Arsenal had their best period of the game they scored, that’s the margins we talk about in the Premier League.
“It’s obvious that the Europa League campaign, which we did brilliantly in, really hurt us in terms of energy, and it’s the depth in quality that we need to improve on. Next year we haven’t got that pressure and we can go week to week in this Premier League.
“We’re not going to be foolish enough to think that we don’t have a couple of issues to sort out in the team, not major issues, but certainly one or two players to add to offer us a different look.
“We’re very, very lucky to have the support that we got and therefore we owe them a debt next year to make sure that we serve up a better standard of football and better quality of results.”
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