Rafa wants to stop the bus
MAGPIES MANAGER TIRED OF ‘PARK THE BUS’ LABEL AND DEFENDS HIS STYLE
RAFA Benitez has dismissed talk that Newcastle United’s Premier League survival bid will be won by simply parking the bus this season.
In an extensive interview on the Magpies’ tactics this season Benitez says he does not feel his side have been the ultra defensive unit that many pundits have claimed they are so far.
Of course, the current side’s approach is a far cry from the cavalier teams of the Kevin Keegan and Sir Bobby Robson eras at St James’ Park.
But this side have had less investment, and the club are operating under stringent financial rule compared to the Nineties and Noughties with a very different owner at the top.
As Newcastle prepare to go into a crucial chapter of the current season, with home games against relegation battlers Huddersfield Town and Burnley to come, Benitez told the Chronicle: “I think we have had some games where I think because people look at us and think ‘They’re organised’ we are just defending each game.
“But we have created chances as well in a lot of games. Much more than some of the teams that are close to us.
“You need to wait before you start talking about stats (such as possession in games) because the teams at the top are so strong.
“Sometimes you play against them, and I remember at the start of the season, the stats changed because as soon as you play your next game, against those of your levels, the stats and the numbers change. “I think that yes, we have a team that’s well organised and working hard in defence. “But also we go forward too.
“We try to create in every game.
“Can we keep doing it?” “Hopefully, now with more competition and defensive players around we will be better. We will create chances and score goals.
“What we have to do though is keep the balance we have in defence and attack. “That is the key if we are going to get the points we need.”
There’s no doubting Benitez has improved Newcastle’s defence and compared to their rivals they are in excellent shape at the back.
Indeed, Newcastle have conceded less goals than Manchester United, Arsenal and Everton this season for example – sides that have spent vast amounts in comparison to Benitez.
Teams such as Fulham, Huddersfield and Southampton have also played with a more attacking outlook at times, but all find themselves in the bottom three with a worse goal difference.
Benitez insists he doesn’t have to convince the fans on Tyneside of the limitations of his side.
Although, United now have playmaker Miguel Almiron and attacking wing-back Antonio Barreca to add to the mix.
He said: “The majority of the fans realise the potential of our team and we manage it.
“They can also see we are getting points. “What we have to do is play well and win games, not just play well and see what happens.
“You can see a lot of teams that are playing really well offensively and using expansive football.
What we have to do is play well and win games, not just play well and see what happens Rafa Benitez
“But they also concede a lot of goals. “I don’t think our fans would be happy if we were doing that.
“So we have to find the balance. “Look at the Cardiff game as an example, we showed we could attack and score goals against a team of our level.
“We will try to do it in coming games again.”
Benitez, who has managed Napoli, Liverpool, Real Madrid and Inter Milan, also shrugged off talk he is a defensive coach.
The man who once led
Real Madrid to one of the biggest ever wins in the European Cup, an 8-0 rout against Malmo, said: “If you analyse all of my teams, even those from the Champions League.
“We used to attack and used to win. “You don’t win 13 trophies without attacking.
“We used to attack and win, if we can do that we will for sure.” Newcastle are now back in training at Benton and preparing for the crunch clash with Huddersfield Town. Benitez will call for balance again but after a week in Spain, in which the aftermath of a crushing late equaliser against Wolves was ironed out, the Toon boss looked ahead and commented: “I was really upset after the game. “Now we have to move forward.
“We have to be positive.
“We have a team that is strong enough and a team that is very competitive. “We have to approach the next games and feel we can win against anyone.”