Alan Pardew has criticised his Newcastle United players for showing a lack of intensity during their 4-0 loss at Wigan Athletic this afternoon.

The visiting Magpies shipped all four goals before the break at the DW Stadium to harm their chances of securing Champions League football next season.

Speaking after the match, Pardew admitted that his side performed poorly before the break.

"We just didn't match their intensity," Pardew told BBC Sport. "Forget shape, systems and so on, intensity is everything in football.

"For the first two goals we were really lose and disorganised. It was not until half time that we got back to our level and showed discipline."

Newcastle are currently fourth in the Premier League table with three matches remaining. However, they will be replaced by Tottenham Hotspur if Spurs take maximum points against Blackburn Rovers tomorrow afternoon.