Clarets have same problem Magpies had, says Benitez

RAFA Benitez believes Burnley are suffering from the same problem Newcastle United had just three weeks ago – a severe lack of confidence.

The Clarets have the same amount of points as the Magpies but after finishing seventh last term, very few pundits expected them to be spoken about as one of the favourites for relegation this season.

Ask most bookmakers and they will tell you that Sean Dyche’s side will just about fend off the threat of the drop into the Championship.

Burnley have won just once in their last seven games.

Benitez said: “This league is quite special. In November you have three teams that have not lost any games.

“If you have a bad run like us and lose difficult games at the start, you lose confidence and it is more difficult every game.

“Burnley have had this problem too.”

Newcastle went 10 games without a Premier League win before banking seven points from the last three matches.

However, Burnley have also had Europa League qualification to deal with after starting pre-season earlier before bowing out after six games.

Benitez, a winner of the Europa League himself, said: “Some managers have asked me about Europe.

“It’s not just playing one extra game, you also have to travel to Europe and maybe far away.

“You get back late and you might have a game on Saturday lunchtime or something like that.

“So it can be difficult to manage. Normally it is difficult but you adapt after a couple of games.

“I don’t think they will use that as an excuse.

“Maybe people were excited about it at the start of the season but you have to get on with your normal business.

“After a bad run you have to expect they have lost a little bit of confidence.”

Yet Benitez is confident Dyche will turn it around at Burnley, preferably after tomorrow of course.

He said: “He did a great job last season. He is quite a strong character and they will do well this year.”

Benitez was under pressure just a few weeks ago. It’s clear that things have changed for the better.

Benitez says: “It’s not just confidence. The mood was good behind the scenes here even when we weren’t winning.

“The feeling can change. Momentum can change.”