Alan Pardew has admitted that West Bromwich Albion are in desperate need of an attacking boost to get their season back on track.
The Baggies lost 1-0 to fellow strugglers Swansea City on Saturday, managing just one shot on target all afternoon at the Liberty Stadium.
New boss Pardew, who has now overseen a draw and a defeat from his first two matches in charge, insists that more time is required before he can work out how to rectify his side's biggest issue, having scored just 12 times all term.
Speaking to BBC Sport at full time, the 56-year-old said: "Maybe it's a lack of confidence or belief. The dialogue of the team was first class and that will go a long way for us to stay up. But we need to start scoring goals.
"It is going to be tight. I think anyone who is on 18 points is in it. We have to focus now on Liverpool and try to get something at Anfield [in our next game].
"It's difficult to assess a new team sometimes until you get in the heat of battle. Some of my offensive players look like they need a goal or an assist or something."
Albion are now winless in 14 Premier League matches, drawing seven and losing seven - their longest run in the top flight since a 16-game streak between February 2006 and August 2008.
Daniel Lewis
