Fabricio Coloccini insists Newcastle must improve following their draw with Aston Villa on Sunday.
Hatem Ben Arfa cancelled out Ciaran Clark's opener for the Magpies to take a share of the spoils at St James' Park.
And Coloccini has called on his side to up their game after the international break if they want to match last season's success.
"We lost two points because we were at home, and when we are at our stadium then we have to take three points, especially against teams like Aston Villa," said the Newcastle captain.
"We will take a point and maybe at the end of the season it will prove to be a very important point. It could be a nice point for us.
"Hatem's goal was great - that is what happens when you have good players like that because in one moment he can change the game. We should have maybe gone on to win, but this happens in football.
"It is not about the players, however, it is about the team and we have to improve. If we want to have as good a season as last year then we have to get much better.
"We have got some tough games and months ahead of us and it is important that we get back to where we know we can be."
Coloccini will join up with Argentina for the international break, which means Newcastle have a fortnight to wait until their next Premier League fixture against Everton on September 17.
