BENITEZ HAS WORST HOME RECORD IN ALL OF ENGLAND

RAFA BENITEZ has lost more home matches than any manager in England’s top four divisions this season — and he has urged fans not to make it easy for Cardiff City to add to that today. Newcastle have lost eight out of their last 11 games at St James’ Park and Benitez (right) fears that Cardiff will be keen to turn the home crowd against their team. He said: ‘Cardiff will come here and say, “We have to be strong at the beginning and the fans will get on top of the players”. They will try to make them nervous and anxious. The players feel the fans. ‘If they are doing it right and they are cheering and supporting, they feel that. If they are doing something wrong and they can hear the fans, it can drag down the confidence of the players. ‘They can be good or bad but they still care. If we stick together they will feel confidence from the fans and will be better. Maybe one game can make the difference and we can stay up. Maybe that will be Cardiff.’ The Magpies, in 18th, are one point and one place behind Cardiff. Injuries mean Benitez will again have to rely on Sean Longstaff, 21, in the centre of midfield. He was the side’s best player in defeat at Chelsea and in the FA Cup win at Blackburn. Benitez added: ‘He has potential. We’ve had lots of teams asking about him this transfer window but I told them to wait because we are so pleased with him and he has a chance. ‘He is a good player, a good professional and is keen to learn.’