Defiant Houllier won't quit

A disastrous run of three consecutive Premiership defeats has led many critics in both the media and the stands to believe that the Frenchman's tenure at the club could soon be brought to an abrupt end, but the man himself insists that his enthusiasm for the task ahead remains as strong as ever.

Houllier said: "I love this club and I love this job. It is as simple as that. A few headlines and phone-ins, although they irritate me, won't distract me. I am above that. I don't sulk or bear a grudge. This does not take away my enthusiasm away, just like it didn't take Bobby Robson's enthusiasm away when Newcastle struggled at the start of the season. As long as you have the appetite and enthusiasm that's good.

"It may drain me for a few hours but then I get on with it and I see it as a new challenge. I've more strength now than I did two or three years ago and I've more experience because of what has happened."

Back him... or sack him?