Rafa to rotate? United boss hints at changes
FRINGE MAGPIES COULD GET CHANCE IN FINAL FIXTURES
RAFA Benitez has told his players not to be surprised if they are left out of Newcastle United’s penultimate away game of the season at Watford next weekend.
The Toon boss fired an early warning to his team on the eve of the home clash with West Bromwich Albion and indicated he might drop some of the players who shone during the club’s recent – and crucial – four-match winning streak.
It is expected that Benitez will field a similar team to the side that were beaten by Everton on Monday.
But if United leave the pitch after a negative result, the former Liverpool chief won’t hesitate to be ruthless for the game at Vicarage Road.
Speaking ahead of the visit of West Brom, Benitez told the Chronicle: “For us, the way to keep people focused is to remind everybody that we will can make changes and give a chance to everyone.
“They also deserve these opportunities because they did well during the season. I think it’s now about keeping the balance.
“Players need to impress at this stage of the season and do well. That is the key for us.
“We want to do well but we also want to be fair with the players who have played all season.”
Benitez has proved in the past he isn’t afraid to drop the big names with the likes of captain Jamaal Lascelles and playmaker Jonjo Shelvey finding themselves benched after below-par displays.
That would be the last thing either player would want with time running out before the England squad is named for the World Cup in Russia.
Benitez is seeking an improvement after the defeat at Goodison Park on Monday night and said: “At Everton, we had more shots on target.
“The point is we have to take them. Against Leicester and Bournemouth we did so well away from home and had the same situations but we were missing the final pass.
“It could be totally different. Normally we create chances and attack at home.
“We have to keep doing the same. But believe me, I watched West Brom and they are quite dangerous, they get people coming from behind and they have runners.
“They know they have to win and that’s it so we have to find the balance of wanting to attack but being solid in defence.”
Benitez has heaped praise on his players in recent weeks but did not hold back when analysing the 1-0 reverse on Merseyside this week.
He added: “It’s not easy to maintain the same focus. The Everton game was not good. We didn’t play well.
“We were solid as a team but we have to something more in attack if we want to get points in games. “It proves that you can’t relax. “You can’t think that any game is easy just because you’ve won four games in a row.
“Everybody knows that it’s been a great achievement and now we have to finish well.
“It’s more difficult to keep everybody on their toes because we have done our job.”
Newcastle face a West Brom side that will almost certainly be playing in the Championship next season.
Caretaker boss Darren Moore is unbeaten in his three games in charge but the Baggies will be relegated if they fail to win today.
Benitez said: “West Brom have done well against Man United and Liverpool. They have confidence.
“The only option they have now is to try to win every game so it’s tough for us. They will play without fear because they must win.”