RAFA NO BIG MISS FOR PACO
No.2 vows to step up
LIFE without Rafa Benitez is the ultimate nightmare for Newcastle fans.
But at Swansea tomorrow, Benitez’s backroom staff and players aim to prove that they can cope perfectly well without him – for one match only.
Benitez has not completely given up hope of being at the Liberty Stadium following surgery for a hernia which has forced him to miss training for the past week.
The Spaniard is considering the offer of a helicopter flight to south Wales, having reluctantly accepted he is not in a fit state to make a long road journey.
But the medical advice is for Benitez to take the weekend off – and his coaching team have assured him they can carry out his instructions without his presence.
“He tried to come back yesterday but suddenly realised he couldn’t get here,” said his No.2 Paco Moreno (inset) after Benitez, 57, had turned back within 400 yards of home.
“You know his passion for his football and his profession but it is about his health. He had the operation on Monday and he needs to recover properly.
“He’ll be fine in a few ® days. It’s not been difficult without him because we are still training and preparing for games exactly the same as if he was here.”
Moreno insists that Newcastle can still prosper without one of Benitez’s team talks.
“Obviously he is the man and the way he does things is important for us, but I think the message is clear,” he added.
“So even if it is me or one of the other staff members, they will listen in the same way, although it’s not quite the same as Rafa saying something.”
Being without a manager is nothing new to defender Ciaran Clark.
During his Aston Villa days, Gary McAllister held the reins temporarily while boss Gerard Houllier was ill. “I can’t remember whether we won that game,” said the Republic of Ireland international. “But it’s just one of those things and you’ve just got to treat it as business as usual.
“We’ve all done the drills and know what we need to do. “He’ll be a miss but we just wish Rafa all the best and hope he will be back soon.”