Pressure, promotion, Rafa, and losing that lead...
FERDINAND ON ‘BUSINESS END’ OF SEASON
NEWCASTLE United legend Les Ferdinand believes that Rafa Benitez deserves plenty of credit for keeping the Magpies on course for the Premier League this season. The former Toon No 9 knows all about the difficulties of life in the Sky Bet Championship in his role as Queens Park Rangers supremo. And he feels that Benitez has carried out an excellent job so far to keep Newcastle in contention for automatic promotion. Ferdinand told the Chronicle: “I felt with what they had in the Championship, with what they could get and the fact they had Rafa at the club, you could see progression straight away. “From what he’d done with what he had, you looked at the Championship and felt they would be choices for automatic promotion. “It is proving to be that way, but it has not been as easy as everybody expected. “The Championship is a division that those who know it well will tell you it is harder to get out of than people think. “As far as the job that Rafa has done, I think it is fantastic. “No team has run away with the league and it was always going to be tough. “There is a depression when you get relegated, not just with the fans with the team and the manager himself - the whole place is depressed. “It’s trying to get them out of that and get them back up and he’s done a great job in doing that.” Ferdinand, who was
It was always great to come home and play but sometimes it could have the adverse effect. There was a lot of pressure on
speaking at a talk-in at Nine Bar, was part of the United team that came so close to winning the Premier League title in 1996.
Back then Newcastle threw away a 12-point lead to miss out on English football’s top prize.
With United having stiff competition for automatic promotion from Brighton and Huddersfield some observers have questioned whether the current team will keep their cool.
Ferdinand said: “I understand the comparisons. The only difference is that we were absolutely flying at the time.
“I don’t think the team have been flying this season.
“We were trying to win the Premier League, now they are trying to get back.
“But wherever you are when it’s the business end of the season you need your best players performing.
“We needed that back then but the players didn’t quite have it.
“This time around the players have to be able to do it.”
Newcastle now face two home games against Wigan Athletic then Burton Albion as they begin a hectic April at St James’ Park.
Their last fixture on Tyneside resulted in a 3-1 loss to Fulham while the Magpies stuttered in a 2-2 draw with Bristol City before that.
Ferdinand said: “I think there is a lot of pressure at home.
“There is an expectancy and unfortunately players haven’t been able to live up to that expectancy at home. I always remember when I was here the football was quite good and it was always great to come home and play but sometimes it could have the adverse effect.
“There was a lot of pressure on. It’s no coincidence (this season) you have a fantastic record away from home.
“The hardcore supporters go away from home but it is a bit more of a relaxed atmosphere.
“From a player point of view it is easier to play away when things aren’t going so well at home.”