Boss throws down gauntlet to fringe men

RAFA Benitez has challenged the likes of Christian Atsu, Jacob Murphy, Isaac Hayden and Ki Sungyueng to make life much harder for him.

With Benitez desperate for that first win of the season, the Toon boss has now asked for more intensity in training this week ahead of the clash with Watford.

Murphy and Hayden did not even make it into the squad for the clash at Southampton while Mo Diame and Jonjo Shelvey have been mainstays in the team.

Some supporters have also called for Cal Roberts, Sean Longstaff and Elias Sorensen to get their chance after impressing in the reserves.

However, Benitez has thrown down the gauntlet to some of his senior players.

He told the Chronicle: “I want them to perform on the pitch in training to put me under more pressure. It is what they have to do.

“I have told the players on the bench to put me under more pressure.

“I want them to push me much harder.

“We analyse things but also sometimes when you are making radical changes it is because everything is wrong. I don’t accept it is all wrong.

“Yes we are losing but we have been very, very close in a lot of games.”

Newcastle are now officially in their worst form for more than 120 years in the top flight.

They last failed to win any of their first 10 league games back in the 1898/99 season.

However, Benitez said: “We have to stay calm.

“We have to give confidence to the players and give confidence to the fans by reminding them we did it last year.

“We have to carry on working hard.”

Benitez remains confident of avoiding relegation but history is no longer on United’s side.