It’s Christmas Tyne,mistletoe the line
TOON CANCEL THE XMAS PARTY AGAIN AS THEY BATTLE FOR CRITICAL POINTS
HARD-LINE boss Rafa Benitez has revealed Newcastle players have cancelled Christmas again.
The Toon squad were set for a knees-up in London, including a trip to Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park, this weekend.
But with two huge relegation “six-point” games ahead, starting at Huddersfield today and Fulham next week, the tinsel and fancy dress is being binned once more.
A Harry Potterthemed fancydress event was scrapped last season, and this campaign Toon are three points worse off after 16 games, but not on a losing streak.
Benitez said the decision was “responsible”,
vadding: “This group of players, last year they cancelled the party because they realised that it was not the right thing to do.
“And this year, it has been exactly the same.
“I think they have been quite good and I think that the fans will appreciate that they are just focused on the football.
“Hopefully, we will not lose, touch wood. If everything is right, fine, still they will not do anything – or at least not that I know!
“And if something is wrong, still it is the same. They are quite responsible.”
Toon manager Benitez has admitted striker Ayoze Perez is unhappy with criticism from the terraces. The Spanish hitman, 25, was leading scorer last year, but has faced grumbles which led him to celebrate his last two goals with his fingers in his ears. Benitez says Perez (left), who netted 10 times last season, is shouldering a big burden as a Newcastle forward and has to battle through difficult times.
Six goals in the last eight games helped save United from relegation, and Benitez added: “Maybe he was not very happy, but after he realised he has to carry on.
“I think when the fans talk about strikers they remember Alan Shearer and all his goals. “In a team that cannot create as many chances, Ayoze is working hard for the team.
“I don’t say he’s always perfect but, if you analyse what we have, sometimes he’s doing a job for the team and helping the team to get points.”