A black and white wall would be FAN-tastic, says United boss
‘TOON ARMY HAVE EVEN BIGGER ROLE THIS TERM’
RAFA Benitez has backed the Toon Army’s “Bringing back the noise” campaign ahead of the opening game of the season.
The clash with Spurs tomorrow will mark the opening of a new fan singing section in Block V of the Gallowgate End, and Benitez hopes the United faithful can now create their own “black and white wall” for home matches this term.
There’s no doubt that the atmosphere at St James’ Park has dipped in recent years, despite efforts from fan groups to increase the volume.
A lack of direction at boardroom level hasn’t helped that atmosphere, but with Benitez calling for solidarity ahead of the big kick-off, he hopes things can change.
Benitez told the Chronicle: “A black and white wall? “That would be fantastic. “I remember playing against Borussia Dortmund with Napoli in the Champions League and the atmosphere was amazing.
“I have been talking about the Yellow Wall with Merino and the other players.
“Something, anything, like that would be a plus.”
And when asked his views on the new singing section in the Gallowgate End, Benitez added: “It will be crucial for us. Not just for one game, for every single match.
“Last year we said we had to finish strong and we did have some ups and downs, but at the end we were strong and we on three games in a row and won the title.
“Some people said: ‘Ah but because of Brighton.’
“But we were promoted too, and we kept pushing and won the title with our fans behind us – so they do make a big difference.
“We have to be sure we are pushing and chanting until the end of the season and the players are working hard.
“To have 52,000 at home and up to 8,000 away is massive for us.
“They are really important to me and to the club and they played a massive part in our achievements last year.
“Now they will be even more important for us in the Premier League.”
Benitez was also happy to share the same message with the fans that he told his players in his team meeting before the game. He said: “I will now tell every fan what I told the players. “Remember last time we were in the Premier League and we got relegated, remember that feeling, how bad it was. “Then remember the support during the Championship campaign and the feeling you had when you won promotion, then won the title on the last day. “It is important now to remember both feelings, good and bad. “And I ask everybody, what feeling do you want this season? “For me, with that support behind us, I am sure that they can help this team perform. “The players have been told to give everything - which I have demanded from them. “We now have what we have. “We’d like to spend £50million on a striker, but we are where we are and as soon as that ball starts rolling we have to realise these are the players we have and we have to get behind the team. “If the players can feel the same support as they did last year that is brilliant.
“It is difficult for me to ask for more from the fans because they were amazing last year.
“But now in the Premier League and with the situation we are in, we have to make sure nobody is complaining too much because of this or that.
“We need positive energy from everyone. I start that with myself.
“I am in a position where I am telling the players: ‘Listen, we are playing Tottenham and we have to be ready, and if they are better than us or not it will show in the pitch – but we have to be ready.’
“If we have the fans behind maybe we can run a little faster, hopefully that will be the case.”
Benitez has refused to knock down talk that he is ready to sign Chelsea’s Brazilian winger Kenedy.
When asked about Kenedy specifically, Benitez said: “We’re progressing with some players and maybe he is one of them.”
Benitez also spoke about his decision to hand Jamaal Lascelles the captain’s armband.
He said: “I’m happy to keep as Jamaal as captain, because he was good last season.”
And the United chief also stated that Jack Colback could still have a future at the club despite reports that he was set to be left out of Newcastle’s 25-man squad.