Rafa on tonight, togetherness and targets
CANDID INTERVIEW SEES BOSS CALL FOR UNITY, AND SUPPORT FOR STARS
RAFA Benitez did not run for cover over the weekend and instead took the time to review his side’s performance against Watford on DVD.
As supporters returned to work for a blue Monday on the back of the 3-0 home defeat, Benitez faced up to the media and came out fighting as he shot down any theories Newcastle are having a bad season.
Benitez knows he is working with a squad which has limitations and while Newcastle have lost the last four Premier League games the Toon boss feels some of the scores have flattered their opponents.
Before preparing for tonight’s clash with West Bromwich Albion, he took time to discuss some of the talking points which have unravelled since Saturday night. Benitez felt his side did not deserve to be 2-0 down to Watford at St James’ Park.
He told the Chronicle: “Look back at the game. In the first half,we had our chances at the beginning.
“We did not take them and as soon as we made a mistake we were punished.
“We were actually on top of them without controlling the game.
“Then we conceded that goal just before half-time and it is a different game. Mentally that was very difficult to cope with.
“The reaction of the team in the second half was more difficult because Watford were well organised and hard to break down. They scored the third goal and everything went against us.”
Benitez does not feel there is much between Watford and Newcastle’s next opponents West Brom. After revealing United had been outbid for players who ended up at Bournemouth and Burnley over the summer, Benitez reminded fans of the quality in the Premier League these days.
With sides laden in TV money, the Spaniard added: “We have to make sure we can compete against teams like this.
“If you analyse opponents player by player they are very good.
“They have pace and they are strong. After that, they were well organised and they ran a lot.
“There were a lot of positives for them.”
Benitez has opted against hammering his players for a few reasons.
Firstly, because he feels they are not too far away of achieving results and secondly because he knows he has to get a tune out of a very small squad.
It is worth remembering there is nobody close to getting into the first team from the under-23 squad and not even a wildcard who could be throw in from a struggling Academy side.
Benitez felt his team was close to producing a different result at the weekend.
He said: “For me, the frustration was we were fine at the beginning and we could not manage the counter-attacks better.
“When we conceded we started having doubts - especially after the second goal. It was similar after the
game against Man United. We were doing well, we scored and then we conceded late in the second half.”
Benitez is also quick to point out he has a young side and went on: “Mentally it is more difficult to manage in the second half.
“Why? Because we have a very young team with very little experience in the Premier League. When you make mistakes you pay for it.
“We have to keep working on it. We have to keep up the hard work and keep their belief. We can still stay on top of games. Look at Huddersfield, everybody was supporting the team and working so hard.
“They still lost and even when you do things right you can lose but you can still compete.
“We have to be sure we can compete against the teams at the bottom.
“We must stay calm, stick together, be sure to support our players and give them what they need.
“They are giving everything for the black and white shirt - that is what we were demanding and that is what we have.”
However, Benitez knows financial help should be just around the corner next summer, even if a takeover does not go through.
He concluded: “We might get more quality in the future in the next window. Or buy good players next summer when there will be money available.
“Now, and maybe only for this season, these are our players. We have to support them.
“If they make mistakes or I make a mistake feel free to have an opinion but during games you have to support the players.
“I am not complaining because the fans have been amazing at home and away. Ever since we came, during a relegation battle and a promotion battle they were amazing. I cannot complain about the fans.
“What I can see, with my experience, is if we don’t stick together we will give our critics more ammo. They are the ones who believe we think we are better than we are.
“We have what we have, we are where we are and we can be better in the future. For now we have to make sure we stay in the Premier League if we want to achieve what we are looking for.”
We have a very young team with little experience in the Premier League. When you make mistakes you pay for it