Benitez’s points goal still in sight despite abysmal form

Rafa Benitez is still hopeful of surpassing the 20-point mark before the turn of the year – despite Newcastle United’s awful run of results.

The Magpies must face up to runaway leaders Manchester City just after Christmas but travel to West Ham next weekend and also face a less daunting home game with Brighton before 2017 is done and dusted.

Benitez’s sees the 20-point milestone as a significant one as it will mean Newcastle are halfway to their first target of the season.

after the Magpies were defeated 1-0 by arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, Benitez said: “I wanted to get to 20 points. I think it will be difficult if we do not start winning games but still I have confidence that we can do it.

“If we cannot do that, I am still sure if the team continues working there will be games we can win and that will give us a lift in terms of confidence. That will make it is easier to approach games - but we have to keep the same team spirit.”

Benitez’s side now has less points than the Magpies team of 2016 which was eventually relegated.

Yet Benitez said: “Every game for us in important. When I came nearly two years ago the team was at the bottom and everything was negative. You could see no confidence or belief.

“Now, you have a team which might be in the bottom three but still it is a team with a lot of fight.

“There are a lot of young players and they are learning and pushing every game, putting in an effort on the pitch.

“There are a lot of positives if you compare this team to that one. The other team had players with more experience who were established in the Premier League, but this team has more young players.” ■■CHRIS Hughton praised Newcastle United fans as he accepted Mike ashley’s apology for sacking him, writes CRAIG JOHNS.

Earlier in the season, ashley admitted he made a mistake in sacking Hughton and apologised for doing so.

Brighton boss Hughton said in response: “I have heard Mike ashley’s comments and it is nice when someone says something they don’t have to say.

“You have to take this in the spirit it was meant.”

He added: “We say this about most supporters but Newcastle’s are a very special group.

“When you look at a club which has not won trophies in recent times and still gets 52,000 through the turnstiles it shows what kind of people they are.”