Alan Smith, the Newcastle United striker, has issued a "stand up and be counted" rallying call from the midst of the second relegation battle of his career.
Smith, 27, tasted relegation with Leeds four years ago and the England international's worries about the threat of Championship football at St James' Park could deepen this weekend when his team head to Liverpool.
"It's getting tight but you always knew it would do," Smith said following the 1-0 defeat by Blackburn. "It's up to us as a team, as players and as people to sort that out.
"We looked at our home games as ones that were winnable, and one was against Blackburn. We've deserved criticism on occasions this season and we're all big enough to accept that."
Newcastle have secured just two points from a possible 18 since Kevin Keegan returned to the helm, a sequence that has left a team, which was competing in the Champions League five years ago, hovering just three points above the relegation zone.
"It is a time where we have to stand up and be counted, go out in front of 52,000 people and prove our worth," the former Manchester United player added.
"We are getting fitter and there is a camaraderie, and that's something the gaffer has emphasised since he came in. Everyone is playing for each other and that stands us in good stead."
Meanwhile, Keegan will concentrate on safeguarding Newcastle's Premier League status before sorting out a new contract for England Under-21 skipper Steven Taylor, who has expressed frustration at the absence of the offer of a new deal.
Keegan said: "I think there are things that are important to the player and the club, but I don't think at the moment they are the things that we should be most concerned about. There are other players as well as Steven whose contracts need looking at.
"He's still got another year after this, so we've got time to talk. I think I' m going to see his dad this week."
