Steve Bruce says that Newcastle United players must accept that they are in a relegation battle ahead of their clash against Brighton.
The Magpies could sink into the bottom three if Fulham beat Leeds tonight at Craven Cottage.
But Bruce feels that Newcastle can pull away from danger if they can find the form that had them in the top 10 after the first 10 matches.
Bruce said: "We have to accept we are in a relegation scrap and accept where we are.
"We had an awful run and hopefully now that has passed us.
"Can we now get 17 or 18 points now in the last 10 games like we did at the start. That would be wonderful."
Bruce still feels that Burnley, Southampton, Brighton and Fulham are still in the dogfight.
Bruce said: "There's no doubt we are in a fight of six or seven. I keep saying it's an accumulation of points.
"We have gone three unbeaten but picked up just three. The quicker you get there the better.
"There are still six or seven games and a quarter of the season."
Bruce stated that despite Fulham's form they could still end the weekend below the Magpies.
Bruce added: "They have done over the last few weeks but let's not forget they are still below us.
"You get a bad run, and ours was December/January. Over the last seven or eight games, only Man United and Chelsea have beaten us.
"Things have picked up. Now we have the back end of it and it's how many points can we put on the board."
