Fabian Schar has warned Newcastle's collapse in form must stop now if they are to avoid relegation.
The Swiss international defender surveyed the wreckage of a slump stretching back to Boxing Day and admitted the squad will hold an inquest to get their season back on track.
Boss Steve Bruce is facing growing flack from fans, many of whom do not believe he is improving the team he inherited from Rafa Benitez.
He has pledged to shake up his team next weekend with Dwight Gayle in line for a recall, and a possible switch in formation to allow more creativity. Matt Ritchie and Isaac Hayden are also pushing for a return.
Pressure is rising again on Tyneside because the Geordies have not seen a goal from their side in three games.
They've won once in their last nine games in the Premier League, and are the joint lowest scorers in the top flight, with £40m striker Joelinton on a 24-game drought.
Schar picked up the 2019 North East FWA player of the Year award, and speaking with Alan Shearer behind him, he quipped: “Maybe we need him!
“We cannot continue like. We all know we have to do better. We have to improve.”
It is a big fortnight with Burnley at home at the weekend and the chance of an FA Cup quarter final with a trip to West Brom.
Win those and the mood will chance and Schar added: “The last two games we cannot be happy with our performances. Or with the results.
“At Palace the chance was there to do something but we didn't create too much. We have to talk about this and see what we can do better. We now have important games ahead of us.
“What needs to change? It is difficult to say exactly what it needs. It is just 4-5 games where we can get something, and our expectation of ourselves is to win these games. If we play to our strengths I am confident we will get points and finish strongly.”
“40 points needed? Ask me in three games when we have those points!”
Ball-playing defender Schar, who has 51 Swiss caps, has urged fans not to blame the mis-firing striker force for the team's problems.
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