The Magpies head into tomorrow's Barclays Premier League clash with Birmingham at St James' Park looking for their first win in seven attempts.

However, they do so having stopped a run of two successive home defeats with a spirited display against leaders Arsenal on Wednesday evening, which brought them a point and might have resulted in all three.

The knives were out for Allardyce in certain quarters as the Gunners headed north, but while he admitted he had been losing sleep in the run-up to the game, he insisted his self-belief never deserted him.

He said: "For me in my position, I am experienced enough to handle whatever comes my way because I have been in it so long and I have dealt with it for so long."

Alex McLeish has told striker Garry O'Connor he has to "mature quickly" and prove he is good enough to be a first choice player at Birmingham.

McLeish told PA Sport: "Garry came into the Scotland set-up and did extremely well.

"He played in a friendly against Austria where he looked really composed. He looked like a centre-forward who knew what he was doing. Then against the Faroe Islands, he scored a precious goal for us.

"Maybe he lost a little bit of confidence with not starting for Birmingham too much - but now everyone here starts with a clean slate.

"Garry has got to prove he's good enough to be in the team and he's got to be better than the other players competing for the same place."

McLeish, who brought O'Connor on as a substitute in the 3-2 win at Tottenham, added: "Garry has got ability, there's no doubt about it. He can shoot with either foot, is decent in the air and is mobile.

"He's got all the attributes but it's up to the player himself to get it all together and to have the positive mind that he can pull it off.

"He's got to mature very quickly and he knows we won't accept anything other than what we see as what a professional footballer is all about."

Reading manager Steve Coppell admits his side must learn from their 4-2 Carling Cup defeat by Liverpool when the Reds come to town this weekend.

Rafael Benitez's side have already inflicted a heavy defeat on the Royals this season, with Fernando Torres netting a hat-trick in that game in September.

And Coppell said: "The difference between the two sides last time was a £25million centre-forward so if we are going to get something then we will have to be right at the top of our game."

Youngster Jack Hobbs is on stand-by for his first Premier League start for Liverpool even though Benitez is confident Jamie Carragher has recovered from injury and could play at the Madejski Stadium.

Carragher has overcome a rib problem, but is also one booking away from being suspended from the following weekend's home clash with Manchester United.

The defender was injured by his own goalkeeper Jose Reina in Sunday's 4-0 win over Bolton - a game in which he was replaced by Hobbs - and manager Benitez may take the opportunity to rest him ahead of the visit of Sir Alex Ferguson's men to Anfield.

However, Benitez said: "Jamie is fit and can play, and I think he is clever enough to play without getting booked.

"If Carra is fit, it is not a problem, he can play. But we have experience in the squad, plus Jack Hobbs playing well, so we have alternatives."

Sir Alex Ferguson has branded the Premier League "a managerial merry-go-round" and claimed clubs should show more patience with the men in charge.

Ahead of the visit of Derby, the Manchester United boss said: "It's amazing. I thought the Premier League had a little bit more patience about it.

"You're seeing six managers now have gone - it's a merry-go-round.

"It's unusual - over the years, it seems to have been more settled than other divisions."

Derby manager Paul Jewell is going back to basics in a bid to pull off a shock against United.

Jewell has lost all seven games he has presided over against the Red Devils and admits he faces a tough test to take anything from Old Trafford on Saturday.

But he told Sky Sports News: "We have to start on the basics.

"The focus is on all aspects of the team, not just goalscorers. You can't just blame the defenders or strikers. You've got to win as a team and lose as a team."