Georginio Wijnaldum has insisted that he and his Newcastle United teammates do care about their ever-worsening season after legendary Magpies boss Kevin Keegan stated the opposite.

Keegan slammed the current crop of United players and claimed that the club was "going nowhere" as they sit one point and one place above the Premier League relegation zone.

Wijnaldum, a £14.5m summer signing from PSV Eindhoven, admits that the playing staff deserve some level of criticism, but the 25-year-old is adamant that there is not a flippant attitude in the camp.

"It is hard to see what people say about us, but it is the truth," the Dutchman is quoted as saying by The Mirror.

"The manager explained he was not mad, just disappointed that we don't play with spirit, we don't fight to win the game, and we don't do it as a team. They care. No one wants to be in this position."

Steve McClaren's side, who lost 3-0 at home to Leicester City last week, face Crystal Palace away on Saturday.