Keegan fears relegation scrap
Sunday, 10 Feb 2008 11:04
Keegan fears his side may get dragged into a relegation fight
Newcastle United manager Kevin Keegan says his side need to prepare to fight for every point or face a relegation scrap.
Keegan has failed to give the north-east club the impetus they wanted having sacked Sam Allardyce and the Magpies are yet to win in four Premier League outings under his guidance.
Despite going ahead against
Aston Villa yesterday the Magpies lost 4-1 and are now only two points ahead of bitter rivals
Sunderland.
If Roy Keane's side were to overhaul Newcastle then the Toon Army may begin getting disgruntled once more.
Keegan says he knew it would take time to turn Newcastle's fortunes around and insists they must fight to retain their Premier League status.
The new manager believes there is enough quality in his side for them to be a Premier League outfit but insists there is no such thing as 'too-good-to-go-down'.
He said: "I knew when I took the job we had some very tough games. All but one of the away matches were against sides in the top half of the table and we've got
Manchester United and
Chelsea at home.
"We have got enough to be a Premier League club next season but you have still got to get to that 40-point mark no matter what type of club you are."
The games do not get any easier for the Magpies as they face Manchester United at St James' Park in their next game in two weeks' time.
Keegan will hope to target the match against Blackburn on March 1st to gain his first three points before another tough fixture against
Liverpool.
Although Newcastle are currently six points above the drop-zone it is not inconceivable that by mid-March they could be involved in the relegation scrap Keegan fears.