Former Newcastle United head coach John Carver has stated that his successor Steve McClaren needs to be given time in the job.

The Magpies are currently in the bottom three of the Premier League after failing to win any of their opening seven games of the season.

Carver has said that the performance in the 2-2 draw with Chelsea on Saturday shows that the team has great potential.

"You have to spend the money wisely and it might take time for these guys to bed in," he told Sky Sports News.

"Steve is coming into a football club and he needs to get to know his players. It does take time to get to know everyone's personality, how they play and what their best position is. I know he is searching for his first win in the Premier League and the longer that goes the more the pressure mounts – as I know.

"But there is a good group of players in there and after the performance against Chelsea, certainly in the first half at the weekend, that was an encouraging sign but they need to take it onto the next game."

Newcastle face Manchester City on Saturday.