McClaren Demands 'Fearless' Performance

By Dominic Scurr

Head coach Steve McClaren has urged his Newcastle United side to play "with no fear" against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday (5.30pm kick-off).

The Magpies currently sit a point above the Barclays Premier League relegation zone and McClaren is hoping to extend that gap further this weekend.

"Obviously we're going (to Chelsea) to win," said the former England boss.

"We can't sit back and soak up pressure - we have to play on the front foot.

"Chelsea are the champions, they've got quality and talent in their team and if you don't perform against them away from home, you lose the game.

"Guus (Hiddink) has done a great job there. He's settled them down and made them hard to beat. They're unbeaten in 11, I know they have drawn quite a few of those but they are very dangerous opponents and it is a tough game for us."

Since United's return to the top flight in 2010, no-one in the Premier League can boast a better head-to-head record against the Blues than them, having won four and drawn three of their 11 meetings.

And McClaren has pointed to the courage demonstrated by the Magpies during their recent triumphs over Chelsea as being key to any success on Saturday.

"We have a good record (against Chelsea) so we've got to go there with no fear and give a performance and hopefully get the result," he continued.

"We are not thinking about who's above or below us. It is about us collecting points as a team and taking it one game at a time, starting on Saturday at Chelsea."