Newcastle United have struggled for form over recent weeks but ended a run of four consecutive Premier League defeats with a 2-2 draw against West Brom on Tuesday.
The Magpies battled back from 2-0 down against the Baggies to secure a point, though they know difficult times lie ahead with Rafael Benitez’s side clashing with defending champions Chelsea this weekend.
Newcastle enter this weekend’s clash just five points clear of the relegation zone and know that things are very tight around them, as they also sit just two points behind ninth place in the league.
A battle is therefore set to lie ahead in the coming months and Newcastle defender Ciaran Clark believes that the character his team showed during the draw with West Brom will be crucial to the club’s survival hopes.
Speaking to The Evening Chronicle, he said:
“We’ll take a lot from the way we fought back. Even in the first half at Man United, we played really well, and there were positives there too. We were maybe a bit unlucky to go in a goal down at half-time.”
“It was similar [against West Brom] really. We did all right in the first half and didn’t feel too threatened. I know they hit the crossbar once, but we just have to take belief from this now, get prepared in the next few days in training and get ready for the game on Saturday.”
“Last season was great, and we’ve carried some of that momentum and togetherness with us into the Premier League,” the Republic of Ireland international centre-back added. We managed to come straight back up and win the league, and although we knew it was going to be very tough coming into the Premier League, we’ve got a good group together who are enjoying the challenge.”
