Newcastle aren't bad enough to be dragged into the Premier League's relegation battle.
That is the verdict of former England and Liverpool defender who feels Steve Bruce's side just had an 'off day' in their recent 5-2 defeat at Leeds United.
The Magpies welcome Fulham to St James' Park this evening and head into the clash eight points clear of their 18th placed opponents.
A win will lift Newcastle 11 points clear of the bottom three heading into a rough festive period of fixtures, while defeat would see them looking nervously over their shoulder ahead of games against Manchester City, Liverpool and Leicester.
But speaking ahead of the game, Johnson suggested that although Newcastle 'go through the motions' sometimes, they will have too much quality to be dragged into a relegation dogfight.
"I don't think they are bad enough to be roped into it," Johnson told Sky Sports' Gillette Soccer Saturday.
"I think there will be three worse teams than them. Sometimes Newcastle just go through the motions.
"When they were going forward against Leeds and they raised the tempo, they looked dangerous at times.
"I know they lost 5-2 but every time they went forward they got on the end of crosses, they were getting balls into the box and they looked like they caused enough threat not to be roped into a relegation battle.
"Leeds have caused most teams problems. I think it was just an off-day for Newcastle."
