'Couldn’t hit a barn door' - Newcastle United ARE in a Premier League relegation fight says club legend

Panic is beginning to set in on Tyneside after the Magpies’ 2-0 defeat at Chelsea on Monday was compounded by Fulham’s win against Everton, 24 hours before.

The gap between the two sides – United in 17th and the Cottagers in 18th – is seven points, with Scott Parker’s men playing their game in-hand at Burnley on Wednesday.

Should Fulham win at Turf Moor, the points difference will be cut to four and then could be reduced to one with Parker’s side hosting Sheffield United before Newcastle kick-off at Manchester United on Sunday.

Quinn is worried for his former club, who are without top scorer Callum Wilson until April, and believes Fulham can soon overtake them.

And while he agrees Newcastle have the players to get themselves out of trouble, he also cast doubts over a few individuals.

He told talkSPORT: “You look at some of the players, Jonjo Shelvey, Dwight Gayle, Andy Carroll – past his sell-by date, Joelinton – couldn’t hit a barn door with a pea, these are guys that fall below Premier League class.”

When asked if Newcastle are within Fulham’s reach, Quinn said: "Definitely.

"The one thing if you’ve looked at some of the games recently, Sheffield United have improved, Fulham have improved – they beat Everton at the weekend.

"You look at Burnley, they’ve improved. Three or four weeks ago, they’ve started to rack up points, so they (Newcastle) are in a relegation fight.

"They can get out of it because they have got the likes of (Allan) Saint-Maximin, (Miguel Almiron) and the kid’s done well since he has come to Newcastle Joe Willock as well, if he gets that service.

"They have got a chance but to me, I don’t know. If they play like that last night – first half was desperate.”

Despite relegation fears growing on Tyneside, head coach Steve Bruce insists he has seen enough to suggest his side “will be OK”.

"There are that many teams involved, it has been an unbelievable year,” the 60-year-old said.

"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.”

Newcastle have won just two of their last 15 games in all competitions.