Benitez backing for Lascelles on eve of Villa clash
RAFA BENITEZ has backed skipper Jamaal Lascelles to rediscover the form that earned him Newcastle’s captaincy.
The England Under-21 defender was handed the armband by Toon boss Benitez at the start of the season and has shown maturity beyond his years.
Benitez believes Lascelles’ leadership qualities have been a key factor in his Championship side emerging as promotion favourites.
But Lascelles has suffered lapses recently and Benitez is hoping his late equaliser in Tuesday’s 2- 2 draw at Norwich will give the centre-back a lift.
Benitez said: “I think he didn’t play well in one game, but he was really good in the next game he played. In our last game, he was more or less average defensively.
“But after he scored the goal, he was doing really well. So you have to analyse everything and I think Jamaal has been really good for us, the whole season.
“You can accept sometimes you have a bad game, but to score the goal the other day was very good for his confidence and for the confidence of the team.’’
And Benitez insists the responsibility of being captain has not affected Lascelles, who was signed by Alan Pardew from Nottingham Forest along with goalkeeper Karl Darlow in a joint £5million-plus deal in August 2014. He added: “I think he’s trying to do his best.
He’s helping the team and I think he is someone who is pushing his teammates in the right way.’’
Benitez played down talk of a grudge match with old foe Steve Bruce’s Aston Villa at St. James’ Park tomorrow night.
Villa fans, with their side already relegated, displayed a “Sob on the Tyne again” banner as their team virtually condemned Newcastle to the drop in a goalless draw at Villa Park last May.
That compounded the ill- feeling between the fans after home supporters mocked the G eordies when Newcastle were relegated there in 2009 following a 1-0 defeat in the final game of Alan Shearer’s short spell in charge.
The Magpies were denied revenge at Villa Park in September by a late goal in a 1-1 draw, but Benitez maintains the Toon Army don’t need any incentive to produce a raucous atmosphere.
Villa will arrive on Tyneside in a serious rut after four straight defeats, seven losses in their last eight games in league and cup and nine outings without a win in all competitions.
Benitez said: “Our fans have been fantastic all season, so we don’t really need to encourage them too much. The atmosphere in the last game here, against Derby, was really good and I think the fans are preparing some flags and banners.
“The name of the opponent doesn’t matter, but in this case it’s a big club and that is always more attractive for fans. We have to concede it’s another opportunity to put things right.
“But the contribution of these players has been fantastic because they are hungry for success.’’
Asked if Newcastle are in a healthier state now, Benitez – who spoke of his scouts looking at “big things for the future’’ – said: “It’s not for me to say, but that could be the feeling and the perception.’’
Benitez has to decide if Dwight Gayle is ready to start for the first time since January 14.
Midfielder Isaac Hayden is likely to be sidelined for four weeks after undergoing ankle surgery, while Vurnon Anita (ankle) has returned to training.