PLUS: Rafa refuses to be rattled

TOON BOSS FOCUSED ON LATE PUSH FOR SIGNINGS

RAFA Benitez has admitted he understands the frustrations of Newcastle United fans this summer.

Around 2,500 supporters travelled to Hull City for the 2-2 friendly draw at the KCOM Stadium and backed the team as well as making their point about transfer business with songs directed against the owner.

Benitez has had just £4million to spend this summer despite the club amassing over £100million in TV revenue and prize money for last season’s 10th-place finish.

When asked about the fans at Hull, Benitez said: “They were really good. When we conceded a goal and were not playing that well, they were waiting to see what happened.

“Then the reaction at the end, I thought they were really good.

“They were noisy and behind the team, and have been really good.

“Our fans, at home and away, they are the best.”

But Benitez’s frustrations in the transfer window are there for all to see. And he didn’t try to cover anything up after the game against Hull.

There are just two weeks to go before the window closes – and United need four new players.

He said: “We can talk about names, but we have maybe 100 players that we have been linked with. “Just 25 will be enough. “It is important to stay calm and see if we can add some players, and the important thing is that they are the right players.

“As a manager, you would have liked to have seen these players one month ago, but if we can do something it will be better than nothing.”

Benitez is also concerned about being outspent by teams such as Brighton and Huddersfield Town this summer.

He said: “Everybody is expecting that you will improve the team and improve the squad.

“All the Premier League teams are spending big money, and they know how important it is.

“I said last year, and I am saying this year again, that when you are talking about so much money from the TV, it is crucial to stay in the Premier League if you want to compete.

“If you go down, the next year is even more difficult because the difference in money is massive.

“Hopefully, we can do well in the next weeks and we can improve the squad enough to at least be competitive next year.”

Benitez wasn’t too concerned about the result against Championship side Hull, but did reflect: “It was a typical pre-season game with positives and negatives.

“You expect the team to do good things, which we did with the first and even the second goal.

“It’s something that we are always talking about with strikers, to be aware of every ball into the box. “There were some negatives. “We conceded two goals and need to defend a little bit better.

“It’s part of the process when you are trying to improve you team in pre-season.

“Then you have some young players mixed in with senior players.”

After handing Ki Sung-Yeung his debut at the KCOM Stadium, Benitez also said: “After the World Cup he had three weeks to relax.

“He had his holiday and he’s come back, and little by little we can see if he can improve his fitness and give us a hand.”