Alan Pardew has already said: "Europe and the League Cup are not our priorities."
And Bernard says that could be a big mistake because Bordeaux have Europe top of their list, as French clubs are gunning to overtake Spain.
Olivier Bernard: "Bordeaux are a very tough team to break down, and ironically Newcastle’s own French players could hold the key to overcoming them.
"Francis Gillot has been able to produce a really compact team very comfortable in the way he asks them to play.
"They’re very hard workers, and actually play quite a lot like Newcastle.
"They have good full-backs in Mariano and Benoit Tremoulinas, and a big centre-forward on his own up front.
"I think Newcastle’s greater quality might be in our favour, but the key will be our wingers.
"It’s always great to see Hatem Ben Arfa attacking defenders, and that will be the best way to break down such an organised unit, who will play with 10 behind the ball.
"Gabriel Obertan was impressive in the home game against Atromitos, and players like him are going to be very important.
"Obertan began his professional career at Bordeaux and, like a few of his team-mates, will feel he has something to prove at the Stade Chaban-Delmas when Newcastle’s Group D campaign ends there in December.
"I played in France a number of times for the Magpies, in the UEFA and InterToto Cups against the likes of Troyes, Sochaux and Marseille.
"Those games were special because your friends and family got to see you.
"Obertan didn’t really make it as a player in France, so he’ll have a point to prove. Sylvain Marveaux kind of gets forgotten about there because he’s been injured for the last couple of years.
"Even though everyone in France loves Yohan Cabaye, there are still a lot of question marks about him.
"Newcastle will have to watch out for Tremoulinas and Nicolas Maurice-Belay, who will team up down Bordeaux’s left.
"Although Tremoulinas is the full-back, he’s their main source of crosses, and whoever is playing right-back for Newcastle will need some help from his winger to stop them doubling up on him.
"Anita was signed as a midfielder but I think he could actually end up playing regularly at right-back – a position the manager is still looking for after being unable to sign Mathieu Debuchy last month.
"Bordeaux will come out strongly at home in particular, and I’m sure Gillot will play his strongest 11 in the Europa League.
"Spain has really taken over, winning the European Championships, the World Cup, and dominating at club level through the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid.
"France really want to get back there, so there is pressure on our clubs to do well in Europe.
"I think Bordeaux have got as much chance as Newcastle have of getting to the last eight quite easily. That should be the target for both clubs."