Fabricio Coloccini says Newcastle must learn or face relegation

Newcastle United must learn from their mistakes if they are to avoid relegation, says captain Fabricio Coloccini.

United went down 1-0 to West Brom on Monday, having lost by the same scoreline to Everton on Boxing Day, and travel to Arsenal on Saturday third from bottom in the Premier League table.

"It has been a very tough year and there are so many things we need to improve on," Coloccini told the club's official website.

"Hopefully we can put those things right over the next year, improve on the mistakes we are making.

"We have to work hard to turn this situation around as soon as possible, and we will do that. We are going to work very hard to get out of the relegation zone."

Newcastle are one of the lowest scoring teams in the league, scoring just 19 goals in 19 games so far, and Coloccini has urged the side to be more clinical in front of goal.

"We didn't play well. We had a couple of chances but we didn't score and we have now lost two games in three days," Coloccini added.

"We defended well for big parts of the game but you cannot defend for 95 minutes. The opposition are always going to have a chance that way, and they may score.

"When we get chances we have to take them. The Premier League is very difficult and you have to score when the opportunity is there."