Keegan focused on basement battle

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

The Magpies travel to fellow Barclays Premier League strugglers Birmingham on Monday night knowing a first victory under their new manager would give them precious breathing space in the battle for survival.

Keegan said: "We are trying to focus on winning the league we are in down at the bottom."

He added: "Regardless of what people say, whether you are at the top of the table or the bottom of the table, you do look at other people's results.

"But the one thing you have always got to focus on is your own. It's no good keeping looking and saying, 'They haven't won a game,' or 'They have drawn there,' if you are not winning games yourself.

"We have talked to the players this week about this being a nine-game season now - 'There are nine games left, these are the fixtures, these are the ones we have at home, these are the ones we have away and this is what we expect of you'.

He added: "We are a big club, we are in a position a lot of people think we shouldn't be in, but the reality is that we are there," said Keegan, who also had a spell as a player with the club.

"We will be looking for a lot of character, a lot of strength and a lot of team-work, getting together and making sure as a unit we are hard to beat.

"If we do that, with the ability we have, we won't have a problem."