Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has admitted his side face a “difficult” run of fixtures, which includes taking on both Everton and Liverpool in December.
Howe was appointed Newcastle boss earlier this month, with his new club sitting 19th in the Premier League table.
The Magpies are the only team yet to win a game so far this season, earning just five points from their opening 11 games.
The former Bournemouth boss is set to take his first game in charge against Brentford this weekend - but has admitted the club have a tough run of games until the New Year.
EVERTON: Everton could fast-track Ellis Simms decision as transfer question raised
LIVERPOOL: Liverpool could force RB Leipzig to activate rare transfer clause in £20m January deal
“The task ahead is huge. It's a very difficult challenge,” Howe said .
"I’m under no illusions and I am not saying it is going to be easy. We have a very difficult fixture list ahead and in December.
"All we can do, and I know it is a cliche, is to look on the horizon and to the next game.
"Try to win that and then try to prepare better for the next game after that. There's no magic wand.”
His side face two trips to Merseyside next month, first traveling to Liverpool on December 16, before facing Everton on December 30 in their final game of 2021.
The North East club will also come up against Arsenal, Leicester, Manchester City, and Manchester United before the end of the year, helping to form an intimidating fixture list.
Though the club were the subject of a takeover from a Saudi-backed consortium in October, Howe will have to contend those challenges using his current squad.
Currently five points adrift of safety and level on points with bottom-placed Norwich, the new boss will be urging for an upturn in form, before likely looking towards reinforcements in January.
"It is going to take a lot of hard work instilling what we want in the players,” Howe admitted.
"Their application so far has been hugely impressive but we are going to need that to be consistent for us to get there."
