RYDER’S VERDICT
NEWCASTLE take on a Wigan side which is haunted by the threat of relegation back to League One.
The Latics used to torment Newcastle away from home during their Premier League days but United can shove them closer to the third tier with a win tomorrow.
United are favourites to get three points on home soil and will look to end a run of three games without a win. WE should expect Newcastle players to come back fit and firing after a much-needed recuperation period.
The international break was kind to United with no fresh injuries picked up.
It also offered those who were carrying knocks to rest up and a clutch of players will be fresh for the game with Wigan.
The Latics have won just eight games out of 38 but are better away from home.
Wigan have won five times on the road and drawn four of their 19 games away, meaning it is their performances at the DW Stadium which have pushed them into the bottom three.
Even then, Newcastle have enough quality to beat the Latics comfortably tomorrow and complete the double over their former top-flight rivals. NEWCASTLE United looked like a team in need of a rest in their last home game against Fulham.
The three games at Brighton, Huddersfield and Reading proved physically and mentally tough and, while the Cottagers were very good on the day, Newcastle’s travels had seemingly taken their toll on Rafa Benitez’s players.
Benitez said earlier in the season his team needed to learn from certain games and the home fixture against Fulham would fall into that category.
After trying to make a fast start to the game they quickly ran out of energy and were picked off by a morethan-capable Cottagers side.
The hectic schedule of the Sky Bet Championship meant Newcastle still had another game to squeeze on to the fixture list before the international break and on another day they would have walked away with a win at St Andrew’s. Yet as players stepped wearily on to the team bus it was clear some of them needed a break. Tomorrow they will run out at St James’ Park having enjoyed the benefits of the international window with key players rested and minds refreshed. Wigan arrive on Tyneside deep in the relegation mire and looking like a good bet to return to League One. As far as the visitors are concerned it could be a bad time to play Newcastle, with the Toon squad having been reminded by Benitez all week that now is the time to seize the moment. For all Newcastle’s great work to get to the top of the table, they will ultimately be judged on the next eight games. If they can win the next four matches it is hard to see Newcastle failing to snatch back their Premier League place.
Just 12 months since it was ripped away from them in the worst possible circumstances as Sunderland pressed the button to release the top flight’s trapdoor with a 3-0 win over a feeble Everton side at the Stadium of Light.
Benitez has been eager to get his point across behind the scenes this week and tell players they cannot look any further than the next game.
A victory over Wigan will crank up the pressure on both Huddersfield and Brighton.
In a season whch started with some pundits claiming Newcastle would struggle because Benitez “knew nothing” about the Championship, winning the title, or even sealing automatic promotion this term, would be the perfect response to the critics.
Don’t forget those same pundits and some rival fans were beside themselves with excitement when Newcastle lost the first two games of the season against Fulham and the Terriers.
However, game by game, Benitez has demonstrated his tactical knowledge and man-management in an impressive manner.
For weeks now Benitez has told us it would be no earlier than April when automatic promotion would be decided - and he has been proved exactly right.
This month has the potential to be a memorable one for all the right reasons.
Newcastle have the chance to start it in exactly the right fashion.