Nemanja Matic and Loic Remy have been looking ahead to our game at Newcastle today, with both stressing our opponents’ recent run of form will not alter their approach to the 90 minutes.
Whereas we come into the match on the back of three straight wins in all competitions, Newcastle have to yet to taste success in the Premier League this season and on Wednesday night they lost at home to Championship side Sheffield Wednesday in the Capital One Cup. However, as our recent visits to St James’ Park testify, football is not played on paper and the usual effort and desire will be required if we are to return to London with the points.
‘Newcastle are always a difficult opponent especially when they play at home,’ Matic told the official Chelsea website.
‘It really doesn’t matter where they are in the table. It’s going to be difficult and we have to be 100 per cent ready. In the Premier League every team can on their day play like the best team in the league, and I think when Newcastle play against Chelsea they have always have a special motivation.
‘Winning the last three games has been very important for our confidence and now the next few games will be crucial. We are in a moment where we have to take all three points and give everything for that.’
Loic Remy, a midweek goalscorer at Walsall, is an agreement with his team-mate when he considers if it is a good moment to be meeting Steve McClaren’s side.
‘No, I don’t think there is a good time to play against any team because of how tough this league is,’ says the French forward who spent the 2013/14 season on loan in the North-East.
‘You can win a game and then have a bad result the next week. It’s going to be difficult.
‘I was there two years ago and I am really excited to go back. We need to be ready and I am sure with the quality of the team we can get a good result. It’s a difficult time for them and they will want to have a reaction so we have to be careful.’
Loic Remy in training at Cobham yesterday
As Diego Costa is suspended, it is likely either Remy or Falcao will lead the line; yesterday Jose Mourinho spoke of his happiness with the strikers he has at his disposal this season.
‘We are different players, we have different qualities,’ says Remy of his Colombian team-mate.
‘Whoever is playing will give the best they can. If the manager decides to pick me I will be very happy. I have been preparing myself the best way I can, which is by working hard in training to be ready.’
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