LET’S GET RAFA SMILING AGAIN
ATSU: UNITED BOSS HAS PUT HIS FAITH IN US – IT IS TIME TO REPAY HIM
CHRISTIAN Atsu expects the Newcastle United players to repay Rafa Benitez’s faith in them with a much-needed victory after they return from the international break.
The Magpies have gone eight Premier League matches without a win and face a 10-day wait before their crunch encounter with Brighton at St James’ Park.
Talk of a players-only crisis meeting was denied by the squad last week and Newcastle then emerged to put in an encouraging display at Old Trafford last time out.
The Magpies went on to lose 3-2 to Manchester United but there still seems to be unity in the Toon camp.
Atsu said: “Rafa Benitez is always behind us.
“Everything is done for a reason, and we know we have to strive to give more on the pitch for him. We are happy as a group but we know we have to improve results.”
Last season, Newcastle ended a nine-match winless run with a 3-2 away win against West Ham before picking up their form in the new year and eventually finishing 10th.
Atsu scored the winner that day and said: “We won at West Ham and it turned.
“One game and one result can change confidence and atmosphere. We’re just fighting for the shirt and the fans.” The attitude and desire of some of Newcastle’s players has been questioned in recent weeks after their disappointing start to the new campaign.
However, Atsu feels that a siege mentality after the international break will be required if the Magpies are to clamber away from the bottom three of the Premier League table. With the clash with Brighton up next, Newcastle then have a six-pointer away to Southampton and pundits have made it clear there can be no excuses about facing sides from the business end of the Premier League. Former Chelsea and Everton winger Atsu said: “We have the team and the players and we have the spirit.
“When things go wrong that’s when the spirit comes in. It’s when we have to stick togther. “I remember last season was the same but we stayed together so we have to do what we have to do. We have to improve in games we know.
“We have been disappointed with results and we feel sorry for the fans. We have to change the atmosphere.” Meanwhile, Brighton boss Chris Hughton has spoken of his relief at ending his side’s bad run before the visit to St James’ Park. The Seagulls beat West Ham 1-0 last Friday night, Hughton said: “We have had a tough run and what we have said is we played four of the top six in the first seven - two of them away from home.”