OLIVIER Bernard last night admitted that Newcastle were walking a "thin line" between success and failure as they prepared to fly to the Balearics for Thursday's UEFA Cup clash with Real Mallorca.

The Magpies stand on the brink of a place in the quarter-finals of the competition after trouncing the Spaniards 4-1 on Tyneside 12 days ago.

Sunday's 3-1 win over Charlton also maintained Newcastle's push for a Champions League place next season as they pulled level on points with fourth-placed Liverpool.

But, after crashing out of both the FA and the Carling Cup at an early stage this season, Bernard is only too aware that nothing has been achieved yet.

And, while last weekend's performance represented a welcome return to form after some stuttering recent displays, the French full-back accepts that the next month is set to make or break Newcastle's season.

"It could be a very, very successful season, one of the best this club has ever had," said Bernard. "But it could also be the worst we've had in the last few years.

"At the moment we could qualify for the Champions League and win the UEFA Cup which would be an amazing achievement.

"But, on the other hand, we could get knocked out of Europe and not qualify for it next season which would be a disaster.

"It's getting to the crunch time of the season. We're getting better but we're not quite at our best.

"It's a thin line, but we're happy with the way things are going at the moment. Saturday's win was very important and I think we did a wonderful job in beating Charlton. It was as well as we've played at home all season.

"I think we're starting to play some better football now. You can feel it on the pitch over the last couple of games because, even though we lost at Tottenham, we played well and should have got at least a point. I think we will finish the season strongly."

Bernard was able to embark on a series of trademark left-wing raids as Newcastle bossed the first half.

But the 24-year-old was increasingly forced onto the back foot after Charlton equalised through Claus Jensen and, while the Magpies remained on top, they were indebted to goalkeeper Shay Given for a fine stop from Chris Perry that kept their noses in front.

"Shay Given is the best goalkeeper in the Premiership as far as I'm concerned," said Bernard. "And a lot of people would say the same. He made a fantastic save against Charlton, but he has been like that ever since I've been here. He wins us a lot of points over the course of the season."

Given is likely to be tested to the full again on Thursday night as Real Mallorca throw men forward in an attempt to claw back the three-goal deficit they conceded at St James' Park.

Mallorca's defence crumbled in the final 20 minutes of that game, and the Spaniards hardly had the ideal preparation for this week's return as they were crushed 5-1 at Valencia on Sunday.

A clean sheet would guarantee Newcastle's progress, but, rather than sit on their lead, Bernard is urging his teammates not to follow their attacking instincts.

"We're going to go out there and close the door," he said. "That is our main objective, not to concede, but there is no reason why we can't score a couple either.

"We must defend well. It's not over as a contest and we know that. It's about being professional and not wasting what we did at home."

l Former Newcastle striker Duncan Ferguson will be suspended for Everton's trip to St James' Park on April 3 after being sent off against Leicester on Saturday.

Read more about Newcastle United FC here.