Sale boss Steve Diamond is looking for his side to right the wrongs of last weekend's loss to Wasps when they host Newcastle on Friday.
Newcastle were impressive 35-8 victors over Worcester in their league opener and Diamond is expecting Dean Richards' side to offer a formidable challenge.
But the Sale boss, who has a fully-fit squad to pick from with the exception of James O'Connor, is also backing his players to impress as the Sharks look to record their first victory of the season.
"Newcastle are a good side. They have got their act together over the past couple of years with Dean and they will be difficult opposition," said the Sale director of rugby.
"They have lots of very good players so we are going to have to be at our best to win the game.
"But if we sort our defence out, which we hopefully have over this past couple of days, we'll be a difficult side to beat at home.
"Our endeavour at Wasps was good. I think we broke every record on our GPS units and we ran more miles in that game than in any other over the past couple of years.
"So we know that we are fit – we just made some basic errors.
"The key in this competition is to win your home games and to pick up bonus points away from home. If you can win 90 per cent of your home games and claim a couple of wins on the road along with bonus points then you are pushing for the top four.
"So the key is about winning your home games and then putting in highly competitive performances on the road."
Reflecting on last weekend's loss, Diamond said the Sale squad were determined to learn the lessons as regards tightening up their defence.
"When we got an opportunity we took it but defensively we were poor," the Sharks boss reflected.
"It's all about working together and we conceded a couple of tries from a set-piece up at Wasps which the lads are all frustrated about.
"The key for Friday is that our forward pack has to front up, we have to be on the front-foot in attack and our defence needs to be solid."
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