FOR a man who spent a large chunk of last season in the Premier League’s bottom three and found out what it feels like to suffer relegation, Federico Fernandez insists he is not concerned about Newcastle United’s start.

The Magpies slipped into the danger zone after losing at Manchester City on Saturday evening, having failed to win any of their opening four games – and they also exited the Carabao Cup at the first hurdle last week.

Fernandez was an £8m buy from Swansea City last month and was sold by the Welsh club after they fell into the Championship at the end of last season.

The Swans had numerous problems over the course of those nine months and Newcastle have encountered their own already, even though the new campaign has only just reached September.

After a summer when Rafa Benitez was left frustrated by a lack of spending from Mike Ashley, there has also been attention on the dressing room following a much-publicised row between Matt Richie and Jamaal Lascelles over the latter’s criticism of the manager’s tactics.

While those problems are believed to have been quashed, Newcastle are in desperate need of a boost on the football pitch so that they can get things going in the right direction.

The challenge is certainly not an easy one, with Arsenal up first after the international break on Saturday week.

Fernandez, who has been performing well at the heart of the defence, does not fear the worst after sampling what life is like under Benitez on Tyneside.

“I have found a really good group here,” said Fernandez. “I think during the season everyone has a bad run. It happens with the big teams.

“Now we start our season. We make sure we keep pushing each other, play good football and win games. It’s nice to see everyone involved and helping the team to be stronger. We’re ready and available for the gaffer.”

The defeat at Manchester City was the third of the four games so far, and the uninspiring goalless draw at Cardiff City was hardly a result to excite and increase confidence.

But having turned in decent enough displays against Chelsea and City – even if they did end in defeat – the players are remaining optimistic that things will take a turn for the better sooner rather than later.

“We’re disappointed not to take anything from the last two games in the league. We deserved more. We played well, we stayed together. We’re working really hard and showed great team spirit (against City),” said Fernandez.

“We’re close. We stayed in the game until the end and created two chances in the end. Considering we played at a difficult stadium against a great team, we’re happy with the work of everyone.

“When you concede early on, it’s quite difficult. We felt comfortable on the pitch. We tried not to give much space between the lines to them. Then, when we recovered the ball, we did quite well with the first two passes.

“We scored a beautiful goal. Their second goal was a great goal. We kept pushing. It’s difficult to stay in the game with them, but we did it quite well.”

And Fernandez, 29, is satisfied with his own displays and was pleased to have helped prevent Sergio Aguero from scoring at the Etihad.

He said: “I’m here to help everyone. I’m happy to play and push the guys. I think the team spirit is good. We need to carry on for the next game.

“Sergio’s a great player. I know him and the ability he has from Argentina. It’s nice to play this kind of game. I’m disappointed we didn’t take anything. We tried to do our best to keep him outside the box. They didn’t create much, so we were happy with that.”

Newcastle’s Under-21s are in action tonight when they make their first appearance of the season in the Checkatrade Trophy.

Coach Ben Dawson, who will be leading the side, is expecting to learn a lot about his players over the next few group games, starting with a game against League One’s Doncaster Rovers at the Keepmoat Stadium (7pm kick-off).