Newcastle United captain Michael Owen has told his team-mates to "snap out of the doom and gloom" that he thinks is adversely affecting the team.

Newcastle have lost their last three games and sit only one from the bottom of the Premier League. The club is manager less and for sale. There is no doubt that the players must be affected by it, but Owen says it is time to move on.

"It's unfortunate but that's the way it goes. Players are paid to play and we have got to perform. We are all feeling it at the moment, but we have to try and get some confidence and results - not picking up the results is hurting the players. We all liked Kevin Keegan and we were sad to see him go."

Newcastle have not won since beating Coventry City in the Carling Cup in August, but face a Tottenham side with problems of their own in the third round of the competition on Wednesday.

For both clubs, the Carling Cup has taken on a new significance after the disastrous start they have made. It provides the most likely route to European qualification and could be a way to kick start their seasons. For the losers, the season could suddenly look even longer and bleaker.