Steve Bruce says Newcastle United will not be relegated IF they produce similar performances to those which delivered wins against Everton and Southampton.
The Magpies crashed to their 13th defeat of what is turning into an abject campaign last night at Chelsea with little for fans to cheer from their sofas as Newcastle continue to slip down the table.
Bruce believes the second-half display at Stamford Bridge last night offers encouragement ahead of the final 14 matches of the season but he knows by the time United play next, Fulham could be just one point behind them.
However, the Toon boss insisted Newcastle are not the only side in the mire going into the run-in.
Bruce, speaking directly after the loss to Chelsea, said: "There are that many teams involved, it has been an unbelievable year.
"Everyone is making a fist of it down below and there are six, seven teams looking over their shoulder.
"If we continue like we have done recently we will be OK.
"There were a few positives in the second half and I think the players are enjoying it, we have to get a few results but I am far happier in myself the way we played in the second half in the way we want to go about our work."
Bruce was unhappy with his team's first-half display in West London though and reflected: "Whether it was passive or we did not come to terms with them well enough, we sat off and their system caused us problems especially Timo Werner in the inside left position.
"The second half was a lot better.
"We changed this slightly at half time and got at them a bit better and showed more intent.
"If you come here and get taken open but set pieces was a problem in the first half and they had too many first contacts. It is something we will look at."
