Monk eyes victory at Newcastle

Garry Monk insists Swansea City will be eyeing all three points against Newcastle on Saturday as their bid for Premier League survival continues.

The Swans head to St James' Park on the back of successive defeats against Hull and Chelsea, to leave themselves just three points clear of the relegation zone.

However, they will be buoyed by the fact they are unbeaten on Tyneside since arriving in the Premier League, drawing 0-0 in 2011 before claiming an impressive 2-1 win last season.

Newcastle, meanwhile, have lost their last four league games without scoring, and currently sit ninth in the table.

And Monk believes this weekend presents a good chance to face Alan Pardew's side, as they look to steer themselves clear of danger with just four games to play.

"We've been looking over our shoulders for a while now," said the head coach. "It's a serious situation, we know that, and we need to get some points on the board as soon as possible.

"It's crunch time now and I want us to get wins and finish with as many as possible.

"Newcastle is a chance to get three points and that's what we'll be aiming for. 

"We've done well there in recent years. I played there the last time we won, and we need another performance on Saturday.

"It's going to be a difficult game for us, and I expect a reaction from them. Their fans will be demanding a performance so we're expecting a tough game."

The Swans are also searching for their first away win since November when they head to the North East this weekend.

That victory - at Fulham - is one of only eight Swansea victories this campaign, while Monk's men have failed to record back-to-back league wins in 2013/14.

"We've been far too inconsistent," he said. "At times we can be unplayable, but at the other end of it, when we do perform badly we're very bad.

"That is what has put us in the situation we're in but we've got enough quality, spirit and togetherness in the squad to make sure we're safe.

"Talk is cheap, and we need to make sure we do it in these next four games."

Meanwhile, the head coach reacted to the stories that have circulated in the media this week about an incident at the club's training ground.

"It was something that was blown out of proportion," he said. "But it's all over and done with now.

"You could see by the performance on Sunday (against Chelsea) how united we are as a group, so there's no problem whatsoever."