Rivals feeling samepressure we have faced

RAFA Benitez says Huddersfield Town are now feeling “the pressure” in the Championship.

But he insists it is no different to the scrutiny that his own team have been under from day one of their EFL campaign as football observers gathered around to see if Newcastle would choke after being relegated.

Two defeats in the first two games left some pundits beside themselves with glee after Newcastle crashed to Fulham then Huddersfield.

Now Benitez believes that those in and around the automatic promotion places and play-off zone are also feeling the heat.

Speaking ahead of today’s game with Wigan, he said: “Huddersfield are now feeling the pressure.

“They went to play against Bristol and they lost. It’s something that can happen to anyone.

“We have to be sure that we concentrating on one game and getting three points in this one.

“After that, we can have problems to decide the team for the next game.”

Newcastle are hoping to seal their automatic promotion place then focusing on the title but they may have to wait a while.

United need three points against Wigan but will feel Huddersfield are favourites to do the same against Burton Albion at home.

Benitez feels the expectation levels have not really changed for the Magpies this season.

He said: “If you consider from the first game we were feeling the pressure because everybody was expecting us to go up.

“People said: ‘Oh Newcastle United, Norwich and Aston Villa have to go up straight away’. But you have seen that Brighton, Leeds and Huddersfield have all done well, Reading too, there are a lot of good teams. But we have felt this pressure from day one.

“Every single team playing against Newcastle United has given a little bit more than usual.

“The other teams now realise how important their position is. They will see that every time they drop points it could be a problem.

“They will feel the pressure we have felt all season.”

Wigan will arrive knowing they must win to keep their hopes of survival alive – Benitez expects another tough game today.

He said: “The way that we play you know that teams at the bottom will come to us and know they are playing against a top side playing in front of 52,000. They wait and play counter attack. They try to make it difficult for us.”