Rafa Benitez replaced Steve McClaren last week and the former Liverpool boss wanted to focus on the positives after he opened with a loss.
He said: "We know our next game against Sunderland is a derby and it will be important for everyone but I have a feeling the fans are really good and they are the number 12 for the next game.
"We have plenty of things to do and they need to rest and work hard.
"I like the people, the staff, the fans and everyone is behind the club. Everything is positive but now we have to give them what they want on the pitch.
"We cannot change this result but we can be happy in terms of the commitment of the players.
"We know the players are there and I can see the positives. I have to fix some things and I know it's not easy when you lose a game but the fans make a difference."