Rafa’s challenge to fringe men
RESULTS DUE TO BAD LUCK AND NOT BAD FORM
RAFA Benitez has revealed Newcastle United are out of luck rather than out of form at the moment when it comes to matchday performances.
The Toon boss does not feel United’s Premier League position is reflective of the way his side have played recently and he feels his players have not been rewarded for their efforts.
The muchmaligned Magpies face seventh-placed Watford at the weekend at St James’ Park with Benitez desperate for his first win since May.
His side has now officially made its worst start to a season since 1898 in the top flight but Benitez has dismissed suggestions his tam is frightened to attack teams. The former Real Madrid and Liverpool boss was asked if his team is scared to take risks in matches and replied: “No, I think the previous two weeks against Manchester United - where we did really well for 70 minutes - and then Brighton we were on the front foot.
“If we had VAR at Man United we would have maybe won that game because there was a clear penalty. “We were close.
“We were very offensive and we have the determination to go forward. “Against Brighton, we had 27 attempts, 41 crosses and 10 corners. “It was enough to win a game. We did not do it. very
“It was because on the day we could not, not because we did not have the determination to do it.”
United emerged from their South Coast clash against Southampton with some positives in the bag.
A clean sheet and a point was certainly an improvement in the eyes of Benitez.
Looking back at the game, he added: “At Southampton, we were a little bit nervous on the ball but the first half was fine.
“In the second half, they were throwing a lot of players forward, such as Manolo Gabbiadini who is a good player and Shane Long who has pace.
“So they put offensive players on there that were very dangerous.
“We needed to defend and
It was because on the day we couldn’t, not because we didn’t have the determination to do it.