Newcastle United captain Fabricio Coloccini has admitted that the team has not performed up to standard so far this season.

The Magpies sit 19th in the Premier League after failing to win any of their opening six games of the campaign.

Newcastle spent £52m on new players over the summer and Coloccini has suggested that some of them are still settling in.

"The start of the season has been nowhere as good as anyone wanted or expected it to be. It is important to remember, however, that it is still the beginning of the season," he wrote in his programme notes ahead of tonight's cup meeting with Sheffield Wednesday.

"We need to lift our heads up, keep working hard and try to put these bad results behind us. We also need you to stay right behind us while we do this.

"We are still growing as a team, we have new players adjusting to life in England and sometimes that can take time."

Newcastle host Chelsea on Saturday.