Magpies focus on relegation 'mini-league'

Updated 09.53 Mon Mar 17 2008

Keywords: Kevin Keegan, Newcastle United

Kevin Keegan has set his Newcastle side the task of winning the battle to avoid relegation.

A first victory under Keegan against fellow Barclays Premier League strugglers Birmingham City later would give them precious breathing space in their battle for survival.

"We are trying to focus on winning the league we are in down at the bottom" - Kevin Keegan

But defeat will leave the Magpies precariously placed in a tight eight-team tussle.

Keegan's side are also facing three other sides - Fulham, Reading and derby rivals Sunderland - in coming weeks that are all battling to avoid the drop.

And while the naturally optimistic Keegan is desperate to keep spirits high, he admits it is only natural that people are concerned.

"Regardless of what people say, whether you are at the top of the table or the bottom of the table, you do look at other people's results. But the one thing you have always got to focus on is your own," he said

"It's no good keeping looking and saying, 'They haven't won a game,' or 'They have drawn there,' if you are not winning games yourself.

"We have talked to the players this week about this being a nine-game season now - 'There are nine games left, these are the fixtures, these are the ones we have at home, these are the ones we have away and this is what we expect of you'.

"We are trying to focus on winning the league we are in down at the bottom."

After a run of 12 league games without a victory dating back to December, that may be easier said than done.

Keegan has been in charge for the last eight of those having returned to the club where he made his name as a manager in January.

"We are a big club, we are in a position a lot of people think we shouldn't be in, but the reality is that we are there," said Keegan, who also had a spell as a player with the club.

"We will be looking for a lot of character, a lot of strength and a lot of team-work, getting together and making sure as a unit we are hard to beat.

"If we do that, with the ability we have, we won't have a problem."