Former Newcastle defender Olivier Bernard believes the Magpies can take advantage of Chelsea’s many shortcomings this season and record a shock result to boost their relegation fight.
The Magpies will take on the Blues at Stamford Bridge in Saturday’s 5:30pm kick off – and you can hear the game live only on talkSPORT!
Defending champions Chelsea are in unfamiliar territory with only six points separating them from the basement battling Tynesiders.
Newcastle sit 17th in the table, just one point above the bottom three, and need to start claiming regular points to distance themselves from the drop.
And ex-Magpie Bernard believes his former side have what it takes to halt Chelsea’s unbeaten run under interim manager Guus Hiddink, insisting they are ‘good enough to beat anybody on their day’.
“Chelsea have pace but they’re lacking a bit of flair at the moment,” he told the Sports Bar to preview Saturday's clash.
“Fabregas is not at the top of his game and they’re missing that clever passing in the final third.
“It’s up to players like Jonjo Shelvey and Georginio Wijnaldum, if they can turn it up away from home then I think Newcastle will have a chance to hurt Chelsea.
“We need to start the game on the front foot. If we just sit back, we will concede. We just need to be solid at the back to deal with their pace and then I think we can get away with it. Newcastle are good enough to beat anybody on their day, they have quality.
“I’m not worried about Newcastle going down,” Bernard added.
“I think McClaren is good enough and the team is good enough and we’ll start picking up points at home. What I and the fans want to see now is for the team to start playing attractive football away from home.
The Magpies will take on the Blues at Stamford Bridge in Saturday’s 5:30pm kick off – and you can hear the game live only on talkSPORT!
Defending champions Chelsea are in unfamiliar territory with only six points separating them from the basement battling Tynesiders.
Newcastle sit 17th in the table, just one point above the bottom three, and need to start claiming regular points to distance themselves from the drop.
And ex-Magpie Bernard believes his former side have what it takes to halt Chelsea’s unbeaten run under interim manager Guus Hiddink, insisting they are ‘good enough to beat anybody on their day’.
“Chelsea have pace but they’re lacking a bit of flair at the moment,” he told the Sports Bar to preview Saturday's clash.
“Fabregas is not at the top of his game and they’re missing that clever passing in the final third.
“It’s up to players like Jonjo Shelvey and Georginio Wijnaldum, if they can turn it up away from home then I think Newcastle will have a chance to hurt Chelsea.
“We need to start the game on the front foot. If we just sit back, we will concede. We just need to be solid at the back to deal with their pace and then I think we can get away with it. Newcastle are good enough to beat anybody on their day, they have quality.
“I’m not worried about Newcastle going down,” Bernard added.
“I think McClaren is good enough and the team is good enough and we’ll start picking up points at home. What I and the fans want to see now is for the team to start playing attractive football away from home.
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