Newcastle boss Alan Pardew is confident his team will come out of their mini-slump soon.
The Magpies are without a win in four, and host Maritimo in their Europa League clash on Thursday before tackling Pardew's former club Southampton on Sunday.
Pardew admits there is growing pressure on the team but with senior players coming back from injury in the next two weeks, he is confident the results will come.
"We've had a bit of a dip and we're sad about that, sad for our fans. We have to come out fighting and we want to do that on Thursday night (against Maritimo)," he said.
"Southampton got a great result at the weekend (a 3-1 win at QPR) and I'm pleased for them. But for us on Sunday it's a big game and we need to pick up some points.
"I think it will help if we have our senior players back and hopefully we'll have one or two back this week and maybe a couple more next week. So that will arm me and make the side stronger.
"We're humble at the moment - we've been humbled - so we need to respond."
One senior player he is likely to have to do without until Christmas is Yohan Cabaye, who has a groin injury which he suffered on international duty.
"He's getting a second opinion tonight (Tuesday) just so see if an operation is necessary," Pardew added.
"I think probably that will be the case and that will be four to six weeks out. He's a very important player but we need to have him right.
"There's no point having him 80 per cent which has been for the last three or four games, so we have to get him right."
The 19-year-old agreed a first professional contract with Rovers earlier this year and has spent the last three months on loan with non-league side AFC Workington.
Manager Ronnie Moore told the club's official site: "Will wants to play regular first team football and, unfortunately, there are others ahead of him at Tranmere.
"It's better for his progress to play competitive football regularly for Workington than for our reserves so this is a good move for him.
"He's a good lad, has a great attitude and I wish him the best of luck for his future."
