Graeme Jones makes one request to Newcastle United players ahead of Chelsea clash

The Blues arrive on Tyneside on the back of a 7-0 win over Norwich City last weekend

Graeme Jones has made just one request to his Newcastle United players ahead of the home encounter with Chelsea.

The interim head coach knows that the Magpies must improve on certain aspects of their game after the 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace, which could easily have been a defeat had Christian Benteke been sharper on the day.

With Newcastle now facing Chelsea, Jones takes his team into the clash as massive underdogs with the Blues looking to stay at the top of the table.

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When asked if he will look to change much for the visit of the London side, Jones said: "I'd like to see us being a little bit more sophisticated on the ball.

"We had a short period of putting the group and the team together last week, and it is not going to be easy against Chelsea – we know that.

"Without divulging every aspect of our game, that would be the first thing."

Jones changed the club's training schedule and scrapped the usual day off during the week.

He said: "The work has been good, both tactically and technically, and the preparation, physically.

"We've had a good morning this morning in terms of the mental approach, so I'm really satisfied.

"I'm happy with what I've seen."

When asked about the benefit of training for five days, Jones said: "We spent the early part of the week concentrating on Newcastle United and trying to better with what we're doing.

"Then, on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, we've concentrated on the build-up to Chelsea, on what their strengths and weaknesses are.

"I’m pleased we've got five days' work under our belts and hopefully we'll be better tomorrow than we were last week – and we'll need to be, with the Champions League winners coming to St James'".

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