Howey: Why Rafa will get it right
MANAGER HAS THE RIGHT AURA, HE SAYS
FORMER Newcastle United star Steve Howey has applauded the performance of Rafa Benitez this season.
The former Real Madrid and Liverpool boss is working with a “limited squad” in the eyes of the exToon defender and despite the team’s struggles this season, the top 10 finish achieved just six months ago should be sufficient evidence that the Magpies will be safe again come May.
Howey worked with big-name bosses such as Kevin Keegan and Sir Bobby Robson during his time at St James’ Park and he feels that – like them – Benitez has an aura around him.
He told The Chronicle: “I do like it at the end of every win he takes his glasses and sticks them in the side pocket like it’s job done. “His CV speaks for itself.
“I have spoken about it, all the ex-players have and all the journalists have.
“He is a top manager.
“He has managed to get a very limited squad across the line to finish in the top 10 last year.
“I think it is great that they are back to winning ways.
“The players will be looking to keep that up at Burnley.”
Benitez and his players have transformed what was a depressing situation to one of hope and promise in the last month or so.
They were rock-bottom at one stage but have managed to clamber up to 14th after wins against Watford and AFC Bournemouth.
He said: “Those were two excellent results.
“Maybe they were fortunate because the other two teams did have chances.
“In the Premier League it is all about taking your chances. Newcastle had games when they missed those chances and it cost them the game.
“It has worked the other way in the last couple of matches.
“A win is a win and you take that – especially given the start to the season they had. They were tough games and it was so important to get those points because the lads were under pressure to get them.
“But the manager and players involved have done fantastic.”
Howey helped launch a game between Newcastle and Gateshead
legends earlier this week, with that clash set to take place in April at the International Stadium.
Fans of the Entertainers still remember those days fondly, Howey reflected: “It is a bit sad when parents are showing their kids how good it once was.
“At the moment the lads have done brilliantly with their last two results in the Premier League.
“I don’t want to get into the current situation too much.
“You’d like to think Newcastle will have a good end to the season.
“And the fans of both sides will turn out.
“Steve Watson has done a great job at Gateshead and will be hoping to get more finance to improve the team from funds raised in that game.
“It would be great to see a full house like the friendly in 1995 when Kevin brought us here.
“We had players like Ferdinand, Beardsley and Ginola playing back then.
“Whether Tino Asprilla can be persuaded to come over we’ll see.
“But it will be competitive because you know the Gateshead lads will be up for it and be fit.
“It is a good few years since we played here.
“All of our lads have retired now but we try to keep ourselves fit and we still have some nous about us.
“We can make the ball do some of the work for us.
“It will be a competitive game and fans can get down and see past favourites of Newcastle and Gateshead.”
Tickets are £10 for adults and £5 for under-18s and will be available to purchase online on Gateshead’s website. The game will take place on Saturday, April 7, with a 1.30pm kick-off.
He managed to get a very limited squad across the line to finish in the top 10 last year
Steve Howey