FEDERICO Fernandez is fed up of people asking him to compare Newcastle United’s situation to the ill-fated relegation campaign suffered by Swansea City last season.

The Argentine defender is repeatedly asked to reflect and make suggestions as to how the Magpies should avoid staying in the bottom three.

Fernandez was part of the Swans team that successfully stayed up prior to his final year at the Liberty Stadium, but he also knows now how it feels to face the drop.

But he is getting sick of the media and fans asking him to draw comparisons between Swansea and Newcastle, believing Rafa Benitez’s squad has what it takes to avoid relegation.

“I don’t know why you compare Newcastle to Swansea,” he said. “I don’t like this.

“It’s not fair on either team. This is a fresh squad and a different team. Of course, no-one wants to be involved in two relegations in a row. But at the moment I see no reason for panic.”

However Fernandez wants to reflect on things, the truth is that Newcastle are three points worse off than Swansea after six league games 12 months ago.

Swansea had also managed to win two matches in the League Cup at this stage, while Newcastle were forced to endure an early exit when they lost at Nottingham Forest.

The challenge facing Benitez and Co is to finally deliver a first win of the season when Leicester City head to St James’ Park this afternoon; knowing Manchester United are next on the agenda.

But Fernandez does not think it is fair for Newcastle to be judged at this stage given how they have only been beaten 2-1 by Tottenham, Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal so far.

A failure to collect the points today against the Foxes, however, could seriously increase the concerns among the supporters.

Fernandez said: “We’ve played the big teams and now there’s a massive chance for us to take three points and improve our position.

“Of course, we’re not happy with results so far but all the games so far have been tight. We’re not conceding too many goals so the foundations are there for us. We know we have to improve but there are positives."

Benitez might be growing in frustration privately as the wait for a win goes on, but having worked with the Spaniard at Napoli there is a feeling in Fernandez that the right man is at the helm to get Newcastle moving in the right direction.

“Rafa hasn’t changed,” said Fernandez, who has played well since his move from South Wales. “He has the same ideas and is still very thorough. If anything, there is even more detail from him. He tries to improve us both individually and as part of the team.

“We have a good mentality and we work hard in training so now we have to show we can start winning games.”

Fernandez certainly doesn’t have any regrets about his move to Tyneside. The 29-year-old clearly knew Benitez and trusted him, but the defender was also keen to get a feel for the place by speaking to compatriot and former Newcastle captain Fabricio Coloccini.

He said: "He talked to me about the city and the fans. He said I'd be really happy here and talked only good things about the club and the place.

“He told me all about his time here and his ups and downs. I know how important he was for the club and how the fans loved him. They're very passionate here.

"He thinks coming here can be good for my career. He still follows the club, it's not the same manager of course and it's a long way from here to Argentina, but he still wants them to do well.”

Fernandez added: "I really believe one win can kick-start our season, especially on Saturday. We want to move onto five points. Last season this club started slowly and eventually finished tenth and that's a good example for us because this league is very tight and we can do the same again."