The Magpies head down to Crystal Palace knowing they can climb into the top six with a win at Selhurst Park today

Malick Thiaw says that Newcastle United players don't need to be told how important it is to get back to winning ways at Crystal Palace today.

The Magpies head to Selhurst Park on the back of two successive defeats in the Premier League and have lost their last two away games in the top-flight 4-1. They will face an Eagles team that has failed to win in any of their last three matches in all competitions, but one that emerged victorious in their last home game against Nottingham Forest in a 3-1 win.

United, of course, were on the wrong end of a 1-0 scoreline last time out against Aston Villa. It was a tight game but Newcastle lacked creativity and a cutting edge with just one shot on target all game, while at the other end they often looked ragged defensively.

Thiaw, who has emerged as one of the senior leaders in the group, believes improvement will come with more work on the training ground and a better understanding of Matthias Jaissle's tactics, and has seen a 'step in the right direction' this week already.

Thiaw said: "We have not had that much time because we have not had 10 games yet, and if you look at the games it will still be along season.

"I think we need to make sure we back ourselves on Sunday to win it, and adapt our output tactically and individually as well and do what the coach wants.

"If you look at the first half [against Aston Villa] they did better than us. In the second half they had a few opportunities where we didn't have big chances, but had that last pass been a little better, we can create something better.

"That has happened and it's in the past now so we try to adapt in training and avoid similar situations on stopping the opponents scoring and how we can score. I think we've made a good step in the right direction this week."

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Newcastle can climb up to sixth or seventh place in the Premier League with a victory today in what would be considered a decent start for Jaissle. Thiaw feels that the manager's methods are sinking in slowly but surely on Tyneside.

Thiaw told BBC Newcastle: "The longer you work with someone the easier it is. It's getting easier with time. You understand the person and the manager. Tactically, what he wants is quite clear, but you have to adapt 100%."

Palace go into the game on the back of a long trip to Istanbul, where they drew 2-2 with Besiktas in the Europa League on Thursday. Thiaw knows Newcastle can use this to their advantage and said: "Playing Europa League or Champions League then Premier League can be hard.

"But we have just tried to have a good week and good training session, trying to focus on what we can do in the game. We will see at the end of Sunday but there is an advantage because one team can focus all week."