Rafa makes strong case for defence
RAFA BENITEZ says criticism of his negative tactics will not stop him parking the bus in future. The Newcastle boss came under fire from Sky pundits Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher for shutting up shop in the 1-0 defeat at home to Manchester City.
The Spaniard did not criticise Neville directly but claimed pundits have it easy, and cheekily pointed out that he won two La Liga titles with Valencia, who sacked Neville last year after a short spell in charge.
Benitez’s team will be more on the front foot when Brighton visit St James’ Park today. But his cautious approach almost paid off when Newcastle came close to snatching a late equaliser against City.
Benitez said: “I’m not worried by the criticism – I didn’t hear any from my players.
“Would it stop me from doing the same again? No. I will do what I have to do to win for my team.
“As managers, we take responsibility for our decisions; as a pundit, you just have to give opinions and if they make a mistake it doesn’t matter. The pundits have to say A TASTY little Premier League treble of Everton, Liverpool and Chelsea today pays nearly 4-1, while a draw double between Huddersfield and Burnley and Newcastle and Brighton pays at nearly 9-1.
In the 5.30pm kick-off, Manchester United must beat Southampton to something because they need the audience.
“As a manager, you have your players, the fans and the city. You’re responsible and you make decisions in order to win games.
“We were nearly there against City and imagine if we’d scored a late goal, everyone would be saying, ‘Fantastic, perfect’.”
Newcastle are a point above the drop zone after one win in 11 games and sit three points behind Chris Hughton’s Brighton. They are desperate to avoid equalling a 64-year-old club record with a sixth successive home defeat.
Former Toon boss Hughton retains a strong affection for his old club. “It’s still a difficult place to go, a wonderful stadium, with fans who want to get behind their team,” he said. “Whatever problems they have had they always get through it and that makes them tough opposition.
“It’s always enjoyable to go back there, but mostly you want to go back and play well enough to get a result.”
THERE’S NO WAY I’LL BACK JOSE
maintain their already slim chances of making a fist of the title race.
The way Jose Mourinho appears to be having a meltdown makes me reluctant to back his side.
Instead, I fancy the Saints to get something out of this game, despite their patchy form. They can be backed at 7-4 to pick up at least a point.