Bristol City legend Brian Tinnion is calling on the whole club to unite behind the team.

City have won just four times since October and are in danger of being dragged into a relegation battle.

The Robins face Tinnion's boyhood club Newcastle United in a Sky-televised Championship clash on Saturday (5.20pm) that is heading for a sell-out.

Tinnion, a veteran of 551 appearances for the Robins and Gary Johnson's predecessor as manager, diplomatically says he wants a draw at the weekend.

The former midfield playmaker now lives in Southern Spain where he runs a soccer school and scouts locally for Everton.

But despite being half a continent away, Tinnion still keeps a close eye on events in BS3.

And he knows the role the fans can play – positive and negative – in difficult times.

He said: "You get thick and thin and everyone from Steve Lansdown, the chairman, to the players and fans has got to stick together.

"They are probably three good results away from being near the top six if they can get a good run going.

Tinnion has access to most of the English TV channels but won't be watching his old sides on Saturday.

"I won't be able to because one of my Under-15 teams has a game that kicks off at the same time," he said.

"I will settle for a draw as it was a draw at Newcastle (in October) as well. I have got split loyalties.

"I still look for City's results and friends in Bristol let me know what is happening there. It is a little bit of a difficult time, but it happens."

Tinnion has noted City's alarming propensity to concede late goals. This season City have let in 16 goals after the 80th minute, costing them 15 points.

On Tuesday, Plymouth scored their winner against City in the first minute of stoppage time.

"It's got to be a mental thing," he said. "When you get to a certain time in the game they must start thinking about what happened before, because I am sure they will be working on defending in the last 10 minutes.

"It must be psychological, because if you gave them those points then they would be in the top six."

Tinnion has been delighted to hear of the progress of midfielder Cole Skuse, who has been one of City's better players this season.

He said: "I used to coach Cole in the Under-14s when I was still playing and coming in to work with the academy every Sunday. I have seen him develop from a really young age and it is great to see him doing well.

"There is also Bradley Orr, who I signed on a free from Newcastle, and Louis Carey, who everybody told me I shouldn't bring back from Coventry."

Tinnion admits Newcastle boss Chris Hughton has done a 'fantastic' job since picking up the pieces after their relegation from the Premier League.

"If they can keep themselves together and win at home and draw away they will be fine," he said. "They have got a good group of players and their manager has done a fantastic job because he started the season as a caretaker manager."

So will we see Tinnion back to watch a game at Ashton Gate – for the first time since his September 2005 resignation – any time soon? Probably not.

"I am really, really busy and I hardly ever go back to England, so I haven't really got time to even contemplate that," he said. "On Tuesday night I was watching the Champions League game between Sevilla and CSKA Moscow, so I am always busy and keeping abreast of what is happening."