Toon boss says stop giving striker stick

scored, goals, goals and goals then it would be easier.

“He has had some chances and missed some but he still carries on getting in the right positions.”

Federico Fernandez’s absence through injury may have spared Benitez the task of axing skipper Jamaal Lascelles, who was badly out of sorts during their 2-1 defeat to Wolves.

Upset

Lascelles hasn’t been at his best in recent weeks but his manager is backing him to come good, starting at Huddersfield today.

“I would like to see everyone play well but, obviously, sometimes you have a bad game,” said Benitez.

“Jamaal was a little upset afterwards but has reacted really well this week.

“He was paying attention to little things in training.

“We have to realise he is still a young player.

“A centre-back is not at his best until he is between 28 and 32 because he has experience and is still physically fine.

“Sometimes we are asking too much from a young player in a team that is defending for the majority of a game.”

Benitez has picked up his seventh Manager of the Month award after Newcastle won all of their three Premier League games in November.

He added: “It’s nice, but I would rather win the award in December when there are seven games and not just three.”