STEVEN Defour believes some of the Clarets players are feeling the pressure of their poor form.

Burnley were beaten 2-1 by Newcastle United on Monday night to extend their winless run to six games and leave them just a point outside the Premier League relegation zone ahead of Saturday’s trip to fellow strugglers Crystal Palace.

Sean Dyche’s side had their chances against the Magpies at Turf Moor but paid the price for a slow start which saw them two down inside the opening quarter.

At times the home side were ponderous in their attacking play and Defour wants Burnley to play without fear.

“Some are feeling the pressure and start making decisions too quickly,” the midfielder said.

“They start getting rushed in to making decisions at 2-0. They’re maybe feeling the pressure of the fans shouting us forward.

“There was a lot of space out wide and we just need to get the cross in because we’ve got (Sam) Vokes and (Chris) Wood.

“We have to do more of that but that comes with confidence and that comes from goals and wins.”

Of the Newcastle defeat he added: “We’ve conceded two poor goals and then you try and affect the game.

“The gaffer told us to get the ball out wide and get it in to the box. In the second part of the first half we did that quite well.

“We’re not concentrating enough in our own box.

“I think we played a fairly good game and we could have scored more goals.”

Burnley’s struggles are in stark contrast to last season when the club enjoyed a fine campaign which ended in a seventh place finish and a Europa League place. And Defour knows the Clarets must improve.

He added: “Last year everything went for us and this year it’s not really going for us.

“We have to step up even more like we did last year. When the results aren’t going for us some start doubting which isn’t a good sign.

“Everybody is training really well and there’s a lot of quality but sometimes in a game it doesn’t always show. I think a lot can change if you score the first goal. It might ease things a little bit.”

Burnley haven’t scored the opening goal since a 1-1 draw with Huddersfield on October 6 and Defour believes the Premier League is the toughest he has experienced with just four points separating the bottom eight teams.

“I think it is (the toughest),” he said. “Last year we won all the necessary games at home. This year it’s a bit more difficult but we’re still in the first half of the season.

“We don’t necessarily have to change, we just have to be more focused in our own box. That’s the main thing - stop conceding those lazy goals.

“We need to show more confidence. Sometimes we have some good pockets but when we get in to the final third we don’t know what to do. We need to get back to how we used to play.”

The weekend trip to Selhurst Park has the makings of an early six-pointer, especially with Burnley facing Liverpool, Tottenham and Arsenal before Christmas.

But Defour, who has been a fixture in the side since returning from injury, believes every game is important for the Clarets as they seek to turn their fortunes around.

“The Newcastle game was an important one and I think Crystal Palace is an important one. Even Liverpool now is important,” said the 30-year-old.

“At home we have to get something out of it (Liverpool) now. We just have to work hard and make things go for us.”