We must take one game at a time – Rafa

BOSS ‘CONFIDENT’ OF A WIN AFTER DISMAL BEGINNING

RAFA Benitez has insisted he is doing things the right way at Newcastle United. The Magpies are without a win in eight games and failure to beat Brighton will see them make a worst start to the campaign since that Steve McClaren side back in 2015.

Yet Benitez was asked about the prospect of the bad start continuing, and said: “I would not know because I am confident we will win.

“It is very clear, we have to go one game at a time.

“In January we were in the bottom five, we finished 10th. I have good staff and we know how these players can work.”

Benitez says discussions about January are under way with his chief scout Steve Nickson and managingdirector Lee Charnley.

He added: “All my career, even with the top sides, we have never been top spenders.

“A lot of other teams have spent big this season.

“The atmosphere is quite good here and the players know the way is to keep working hard.

“I was talking with Lee Charnley this week and it was a normal conversation. I have spoken with Steve Nickson.

“Steve is a busy man and has been since he was here.

“We have to monitor players. I saw in the press they were talking about January, it is too early. We have to talk about Brighton.”

Asked about the confidence levels of his players after that shattering defeat against Manchester United, Benitez replied: “The most important thing for us was to understand really well what we did during the game.

“The main thing for me was to show we were capable and we showed that at Man United.

“We had a chance of a third goal or a penalty. There were many things in our favour but we were positive.”

Benitez was firmly focused on Brighton and does not believe the game is in the bracket of the most important of the campaign so far.

He said: “Not really, I have said many times the next one is the most important one.

“This is a long-distance running race. I am quite optimistic and realistic.

“We know it is a difficult position, we are working hard and are organised.”