Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink insists they were in danger of relegation before he took charge.

Speaking ahead of Monday night's visit of arch rivals Tottenham, Hiddink was asked if he feared he would be in a relegation battle at the end of the season.

"Realistically we were on the spot," he said. "You look at the situation that Newcastle are in now. They are a big club and now they are fighting to get out [of relegation zone]."

Hiddink said some of the Chelsea star players needed kicking back into shape before they sank without trace.

He explained: "What I had to do maybe was to get them more confident on one hand. Maybe on the other some were a bit complacent so we had to break moods in them.

"Was there a danger from being in 16th or 17th position, yes? When the water is up to here,' he added, patting the back of his hand under his chin, 'you have to be very careful you don't get drowned."