HIT FOR SIX ’EM
Rafa used to relish his battles with Jose.. now he’s gone eight home games without a win and is under pressure to finally beat a Premier League top dog
RAFA BENITEZ is battling to stop a double humiliation as he searches for a formula to revive Newcastle.
The Geordies need a victory against Manchester United to avoid equalling their worst winless home run for 19 years.
Former boss Ruud Gullit led Newcastle to nine home games without a win in 1999 before being sacked.
And Benitez – who once revelled in combat against the elite – has yet to see his side win against top-six opposition this season.
They have gathered only one point from seven games against Manchester City, United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Spurs, and also lost in the FA Cup at Stamford Bridge.
Benitez is under pressure to deliver a have-a-go show against Jose Mourinho after several dour, keep-the-score- down games against top opponents. Benitez has set Newcastle up to be tight and defensive against the top sides this season.
They have stayed in some games until late, but had only 25-30 per cent of the possession.
Those tactics have kept the score down, but lowly rivals have taken a different approach and had a go.
Goal difference may be a factor, but Benitez said: “I think we will need 40 points. Why? Because you can see teams winning, losing or drawing. I think three or four teams will be below 40 – so 40, for me, is a guarantee.
“We can fight against a lot of them. If you stay calm and do things properly, you will maybe have more chances.
“When we were here two years ago, we had Norwich, Sunderland and us ( fighting to avoid relegation). One of the three would go down.
“In this case, you have six or seven teams. They are close, I wouldn’t say struggling. We were only in
the relegation zone a couple of times. It’s because there’s one level here and then the others (the top six) are there.”
Newcastle are currently a point from safety and Benitez is sure he can guide Toon to survival.
Only three points separate 12th from second bottom – and the Spaniard says that makes it an open fight.
Newcastle have not won since October 21 against Crystal Palace and that could stretch to nine games at the weekend. After that, they have only one game at St James’ Park in the next 47 days – but they do face trips to Liverpool and Tottenham.
Benitez used to love taking on old rival Mourinho, but he does not have the team to spark any off-the-pitch needle.
And now he is looking to turn what have been some decent draws into wins to lift up the club.
He added: “If there were two or three teams much deeper down the pile, perhaps it could be better. At least it’s not down to just one team, which could be better than you, and it’s down to them or us to stay up.
“Instead, it depends on a lot of tough teams.
“That means we are going to have more chances to do well – but we have to keep working hard.”
Islam Slimani has come through training this week, following a thigh problem, and will make his debut on Sunday.