Steve Bruce has pinpointed the reason Newcastle are facing a crunch week.... daffodils are blooming.
The Toon chief has spotted the spring flower emerging... and says it means “the tickly part” of the season is upon us, with Newcastle facing an increasingly tense relegation battle.
Bruce has refused to accept it is a battle between the Geordies, Fulham and Brighton to avoid a third bottom finish, believing all the sides up to 13 th are under threat.
He faces Wolves today at St James' Park needing nothing but a win, and has blasted back at suggestions he was wrong to be caught laughing with Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after last week's defeat at Old Trafford.
Bruce said: “We are coming to the tickly part. When the daffodils are up that is the sign the crux part is upon us.
“Fulham won two in a week. What a difference that makes. It is all to play for. It is not just Fulham. There are 6-7 looking nervously over their shoulder. We are one of them. There is a long way to go. All to play for.
“We still have a lead. It is the accumulation of points over a season and that will not change for me.
“Can we finish above them? I am quietly confident we can do that.
“ Burnley, Brighton are above us. Southampton are having a bad run. We have to try and get over the line and get as many as we can.
“Is Wolves a must win? It would be nice to win. With 13 games to go, that's a lot. The daffodils are coming up, that is the first sign of big games.”
Asked about his joke with Solskjaer, Bruce said: “I have known Ole for 20 years. If I am caught smiling with him... he was complimenting us on how well we played.
“So if that is a bad thing that I have smiled with Ole, fortunately I am ok, let it be.”
Bruce is expected to axe keeper Karl Darlow and bring back former player of the year Martin Dubravka. And he has admitted Callum Wilson could be back after the international break to face Brighton.
Joe Willock has ordered Newcastle to bury their relegation worried in the next two weeks.
The on loan Arsenal midfielder reckons a couple of victories will see off the challenge of Fulham.
Willock said: “They are trying to pull us back into the relegation battle but if we get points from these games we put that to bed.
“That is what we are looking to do. We are fighting together and we have enough depth in the squad to do that.”
Asked if fear was creeping in at St James' Park, the England U21 star said: “I sense big determination. I feel like we have a togetherness and more than enough ability to get out of where were are right now.
“I want to add loads more goals and add things for the fans to enjoy. I feel I can do that. We have just played two top four team and that was not easy. Next few games I will show what I can do.
“Everyone should be hungry to score more goals. With Callum Wilson being injured we have to step up and take the responsibility.
