Rafa: It’s Crystal clear we have right character

RAFA Benitez feels the “true character” of his Newcastle United side is shining through just at the right time in the Premier League run-in.

The Magpies’ battle for survival was boosted massively thanks to the 1-0 win over Manchester United at the weekend, but Benitez knows there is still a long way to go before his side can be considered safe from the drop.

The victory over the Red Devils won Newcastle some global headlines for the right reasons this week, and Benitez feels that his team – who are now three games undefeated – are showing signs of being tough to beat.

And the character that Benitez talks about can be summed up by a moment in United’s last away game at Crystal Palace.

Back then after Ciaran Clark had been penalised for a handball Benitez felt his side were faced with a tough examination of their character – and passed it by showing great resolve to hold on to what could prove to be a vital point.

Benitez told the Chronicle: “It showed you what we are.

“We’re a team that can make mistakes – but we never give up. That is the positive thing.

“Of course, it would be good if we didn’t make the mistake to begin with!

“But we are trying to avoid that in our games now. “At the same time, you encourage the players to continue working and keep going. “It is a good summary of our team – we can make mistakes, but we always work hard to make a lot of things right.” As the season reaches a slight pause due to United’s FA Cup absence this weekend there will be some time for reflection on the campaign so far. Despite that great win over Man United, Benitez knows there is room for improvement and with none of his players sitting on a tally of more than four goals the arrival of Islam Slimani has given his team another big option.

We’re a team that can make mistakes – but we never give up. That is the positive thing Rafa Benitez

When asked if he could see last season’s top scorer, Dwight Gayle, bringing his goal drought to an end soon, Benitez replied: “It is difficult to say.

“With strikers, it’s sometimes luck or sometimes being in the right place at the right time.

“But the way that he is training and the way he is doing things it gives me confidence.

“We were doing a training drill and he was doing well.

“Normally you can see when a player is trying and a player that is trying hard.

“He’s doing well in the training sessions and you have confidence he will do well in the games.

“Hopefully, we will see him scoring goals soon.”

Newcastle’s next game takes place a week tomorrow away to AFC Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium.