Ireland’s Rob Elliot tries to put brave face on Newcastle’s desperate situation

Rob Elliot is facing a battle on two fronts.

Martin O’Neill is likely to only bring three goalkeepers to Euro 2016 and it is possible none of them will be Premier League starters. The likelihood of Darren Randolph, Shay Given and David Forde heading to France makes Elliot’s plight at Newcastle all the more frustrating. The Magpies’ goalkeeper has been unable to prevent his side from slipping into the relegation zone at the foot of the table, despite performing repeated heroics as first-choice for most of this season. And while he’s been trying to talk up their chances of survival, the netminder is trying to talk down the idea that the club under Steve McClaren in a crisis.

“Crisis? We are in the bottom three. That is a serious as it gets. “I would not say it is a crisis. When we played West Ham last year, we had to win to stay up, I'd say that was a crisis. “With 12 games to go it is precarious. We have to make sure we stay in this league and are not in the bottom three for these 12 games.

Elliot’s last game in nets was the 5-1 spanking by Chelsea last month, which means it will be a full 18 days without action before this week’s game with Stoke. The Ireland goalkeeper is hoping that the club can pick up as many points as possible in the last 12 games, but knows they face a huge test.

“I don't think crisis is the word, but believe me everyone is well aware of the situation we are in. We are not taking it lightly. I can assure the fans that. “No one is sitting here complacently saying we'll be fine. Don't ever say people don't care, because we do.” Elliot’s chances of reaching Euro 2016 may also depend on how many saves and points he can help his side to in the coming weeks."

He feels the clear-the-air talks that Steve McClaren had with his squad after the hammering by Chelsea could be key to their survival.

"It was good and everyone had the same points to make. Everyone was honest, but not in a finger pointing way. We said we deserve to be where we are in the league. “The table doesn't lie after so long, but we know we are better than that. It is a case of getting out and doing it."