James Milner knows what we need to do, but he knows full well Derby have that 6-0 thrashing at Liverpool on their minds. And it could fire them into action.
Milner Predicts 'Tough Game' At Pride Park
Milner: "It's going to be a tough game. Obviously Derby had a poor one the last game round and they will be raring to put that right.
"It is important we start well because they will be flying out of the traps." English footballers are notoriously conservative to new ideas but Milner claims everyone at Newcastle is - yes, you guessed it - on the same page.
"It is important we start well because they will be flying out of the traps." English footballers are notoriously conservative to new ideas but Milner claims everyone at Newcastle is - yes, you guessed it - on the same page.
"It's always going to take time when a new manager comes in.
"Things change, like the structure, but that's what pre-season is for. The lads got in early, got back and the training camp in Austria set the stall out early on. You can see (the effect on fitness) from the results and the way we've played.
"Last season there were games when we were in winning positions and ended up losing, while this season we are disappointed not to have a few more points than we have - and we've made a good start.
"So I think we've made some improvement but it is important we keep improving, not get carried away and keep it a step at a time. With the quality in the squad, I'm sure good things will happen this season.
"The way we have started this season, we have shown we can play more than one formation, which is important in the Premier League because we are going to play against teams some sitting back at St James's and you need to break them down," he says, echoing the views of his manager.
"I don't mind whether we play 4-4-2 or 4-3-3, it depends. But it is important to have variety up front, and we look more solid at the back this year.
"We seem more organised and that's important as well. We are not having to score four goals to win a game so we are moving in the right direction. It's important we are all on the same page."