Ameobi came off the bench to score during Saturday's 2-2 draw with Wigan

Newcastle striker Shola Ameobi admits United must address their recent slump in home form following a return of just one point from nine at St James' Park.

The Magpies were spared a third consecutive home defeat thanks to Fabricio Coloccini's injury-time header during Saturday's 2-2 draw with Wigan.

And Ameobi told BBC Newcastle: "Going down to three straight home defeats would have been difficult to swallow.

"The majority of our points have to come at home this season."

Newcastle last slipped to three successive home defeats during 2008/09, the season they were relegated from the Premier League.

But they bounced back into the top flight at the first time of asking with an unbeaten record on Tyneside.

Ameobi, who scored United's first against Wigan, added: "Going into the season we understood we would not go through it without disappointments like we did last season.

"But at home we expect to be picking up points. At times we make it tough for ourselves but we have got that spirit and we have to believe in ourselves.

"Even when we're not playing well we have to show those fighting qualities that Chris (Hughton) expects from us."

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