Head coach John Carver has admitted Newcastle still need points to prevent themselves being sucked into the battle for Barclays Premier League survival.
Sunday's derby defeat at Sunderland left the Magpies empty-handed from their last four games and although they still sit nine points clear of the drop zone, Carver will not be happy until they have at least collected the 40 points which comprises the accepted target for top-flight safety.
Adding to the current total of 35 could prove something of a challenge as they head for Champions League-chasing Liverpool on Monday evening, but the 50-year-old knows the drought cannot be allowed to continue too much longer.
Carver said: "There are only nine points in it, and say we go to Liverpool and get nothing at Liverpool, there could be six points in it. We have to get some points, no matter how we do it.
"To be quite honest, I'm not that interested in how we play. What I am interested in is the final result and picking up points, and we have to do that."
Newcastle have collected only nine points from a possible 36 since Carver was asked to take up the reins vacated by Alan Pardew when he headed for Crystal Palace at the turn of the year - interestingly, the Eagles have managed 23 - although the Geordie has had to contend with a debilitating injury and suspension crisis for much of his reign to date.
However, the capitulation at the Stadium of Light at the weekend has intensified unrest among the fans, some of whom are urging a mass boycott of Tottenham's visit to St James' Park on April 19.
Carver, who has hopes of securing the job on a permanent basis, admits the remaining seven games could define not only his future, but that of a squad which is certain to be overhauled during the summer.
He said: "Never mind my ambition, I think it defines the whole football club, it defines the players.
"There are a lot of players in that dressing room out of contract, there's a lot of players in their last season of their contract, so these last seven games will define an awful lot that goes on for everybody."
Source: PA-WIRE
