The Toon have only won one out of eight games and he knows the relegation threatened sides are picking up points.
Alan Pardew: "You can only stop looking over your shoulder when you win.
"When you win, you start to think, as players and staff, 'Oh Christ, we can win again'. But when you lose you look backwards.
"We lacked a little bit of quality in the final third against Tottenham.
"We have a team on its day that can compete with the top teams, but we need that quality and competitiveness.
"We are looking at the market and hopefully can bring something in. You want a bit of quality, pace and directness and that is something we would like to add at some stage.
"I have spoken to Mike (Ashley) and made it very clear that Andy (Carroll) has to stay. And he has said he is not for sale."