The Magpies are three points above the drop zone in 15th and face crucial matches against strugglers Birmingham, Fulham and Reading in three of their next four matches.

And the 28-year-old is eager to pick up as many wins as possible in those fixtures to help his side climb away from trouble.

"To be talking about relegation for a team like Newcastle is frustrating, and a little bit embarrassing.as well, so when you are lacking confidence and getting beaten 3-0 by Liverpool it can almost snowball," Owen told Sky Sports News.

"I don't see it as a relegation scrap just yet but if we don't pick up points soon then we will be at the wrong end of the table so these next couple of games are important and we need to get points out of them.

"We've got a great management set-up and if Kevin Keegan is not the best at getting the best out of the players and giving them confidence then I don't know who is.

"But it's down to the players as well - we are responsible for going out there and we have got to pick ourselves up and of course I feel responsible to score the goals to pick up the points to get us up the table."

Owen continued: "It's a frustrating time for myself, it's a frustrating time for the club and we need to get some results to stave off the criticism.

"We're sitting ducks at the minute. People can criticise me and people can criticise the club and anyone they want, and we haven't got a leg to stand on in reply.

"I've had some great times in my career. I'd like to think there's plenty of great times ahead. But, first things first, we need to pick up some results for Newcastle and get all this negative talk away from us really."