Captain Jamaal to prove his value
BACKING: Benitez CLIVE HETHERINGTON RAFA BENITEZ has backed skipper Jamaal Lascelles to rediscover the form that earned him Newcastle’s captaincy.
The England Under-21s star (below) was handed the armband at the start of the season and has shown maturity beyond his years.
Benitez believes the defender’s leadership has been a key factor in his side emerging as promotion favourites.
But Lascelles, 23, has suffered lapses recently and the Toon boss is hoping his late equaliser in Tuesday’s 2-2 draw at Norwich will give the centre-back a lift in tomorrow’s clash with Aston Villa at St James’ Park.
Benitez said: “I think he didn’t play well in one game but he was really good in the next game he played. In our last game, he was more or less average defensively.
“But after he scored the goal, he was doing really well. So you have to analyse everything and Jamaal has been really good for us.
“You can accept you have a bad game but to score the goal the other day was very good for his confidence.’’
And Benitez insists the responsibility of being captain has not affected Lascelles, signed from Nottingham Forest with goalkeeper Karl Darlow in a joint £5million-plus deal in August 2014.
The Spaniard added: “He’s helping the team and he is pushing his team-mates.’’
Meanwhile, Steve Bruce is facing his first crisis in the Villa hotseat.
They are on a diabolical run, without a win in 2017.
But Bruce claims he is experienced enough to be able to turn it around.
He said: “Over the last six weeks I haven’t been good enough.
“The three months before that, I was the best thing since sliced bread.
“I am determined to see it through and I know I will get it right.” FUNNY GUYS: Chris and Zlat