Benitez is managing very nicely at United says ex-winger - and Toon would be bottom three without him

JOHN Barnes has hailed the job Rafa Benitez has done this season, suggesting Newcastle would be in the bottom three under any other manager. The Magpies headed into today’s clash with Southampton in 16th place – two points above the bottom three.

Benitez has had to work with a team made up predominantly of Championship players, while wrestling against the internal politics which could well have strangled the club.

The uncertainty caused by takeover talk, as well as a frustrating transfer window which led to Newcastle fishing for deadline-day recruits has not helped, but Benitez has just about managed to keep the Magpies’ heads above water.

Barnes feels to do that under those circumstances shows the class the former Real Madrid boss possesses.

He said: “I think the most important thing at any club – yes, you need quality and talent – but the most important thing is harmony.

“You look at Liverpool. The results Liverpool have had under Jurgen Klopp are not necessarily better than they were under Brendan Rodgers.

“Yet because the harmony is there under Klopp, the foundation is there to move forward and improve.

“The owners, the fans, everybody is together.

“Rafa Benitez has been unfortunate because there is still disunity between the fans and the club – not towards the players or Rafa – but towards the owners.

“When you consider the whole transfer situation in January and whether they were selling the club or not selling the club, I think Benitez has done a great job under those circumstances.

“Most clubs under those circumstances would find themselves in the bottom three.

“I don’t think you could ask anything more of him.”

Last Saturday two of Barnes’ former sides collided as Newcastle travelled to Liverpool, the Magpies beaten 2-0 by the high-flying Reds.

Barnes added: “I felt a bit sorry for Newcastle actually, being a former club of mine.

“I still think they will be okay. After the Manchester United victory maybe they could have done something at Anfield but Benitez is a great manager.

“He makes things difficult for all teams but I just think Liverpool had a bit too much for them going forward.

“Liverpool are playing with so much confidence now and they attack with so much intent and intensity, it was always going to be a difficult game.

“I think United just need to write that one off because I think they will be fine.”