I don't know tbh. Henry Winter on Sky was putting the blame squarely on McClaren for the poor results, he reckons this squad should be capable of much better. The journalists don't try to cover his arse in the same way they did for Pardew, he seems to be held in low regard after his shambolic stint as England manager.
I reckon Ashley and Charnley probably suspect they've hired a lemon but they won't want to look stupid by sacking him. Their plan is probably to cross their fingers and hope the luck turns somewhere before the end of the season.
It'll be the constant pressure from the fans once it starts. It always starts with the away fans, then it will filter through to a majority of the home support. Irrespective of what Tweedle Dumb and Tweedle Dumber want, he's in the direct firing line and he'll always jump ship before he is pushed.