Newcastle United cancel Christmas party after run of poor results drains festive spirit from St James' Park Not only that, we have to have a certain pressure of entertaining our fans, who pay good money to come and watch. Looking at all those factors, we have not done enough this year. That's why I think it's right we called it off. Newcastle slipped to 15th place as a result of their latest defeat and currently sit just two points clear of the relegation zone. However, the spirited fightback they produced against City in the early stages of the second period, coupled with improved displays during the weeks immediately beforehand, has given them hope that they are about to turn the corner. Nevertheless, QPR's visit to Tyneside is a must-win affair if they are to think about a return to the kind of form that saw them finish fifth last season. Newcastle will be without key midfielder Hatem Ben Arfa for the meeting with Harry Redknapp's side, the player facing the next few weeks on the sidelines after aggravating a hamstring problem during the 2-1 defeat at Fulham last Monday.