Newcastle United boss Alan Pardew has insisted that his side need to take more risks in order to improve their poor form.

The Magpies have yet to hit the heights of last season, having only picked up three wins from 13 games this season.

Pardew has admitted that confidence is low within the squad and encouraged his side to adopt a much bolder style to their play, which he hopes will turn their season around.

"I think our risk taking needs to improve," said Pardew. "When people talk about confidence, I think you are talking about risk taking.

"When you're confident, you take risks. You make that forward run, or that forward pass, or that shot at goal. You trust somebody to pass it into midfield. We're lacking taking risks. On Sunday [against Southampton] we lacked it.

"Forward running, people taking care of the ball, or people bringing others into play and trusting them – it was all lacking. So therefore I've tried to highlight that. Hopefully, that will help."

Newcastle travel to the Britannia Stadium to face Stoke City tonight.