Rafa Benitez feels Newcastle United’s start to the Premier League season is ‘something you might expect’ with their fixture list.
Rafa Benitez does not appear to be worried about Newcastle United’s start to the new season, after he claimed it was to be expected in comments given to the Shields Gazette.
Newcastle have taken just one point from their opening four Premier League games, a 0-0 draw away at Cardiff City, having lost 2-1 to Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea, and Manchester City.
That sole point leaves the Magpies in 18th place, with just West Ham United and Burnley propping them up.
“Being in the bottom three is something you might expect when you look at our fixtures,” said the Newcastle boss. “Sometimes, you need a bit of luck.
“Against Cardiff, it was very clear: the penalty made a massive difference in the end. But against Tottenham, we hit the post, the crossbar – we were close to having something that would give you more belief for the other games.”
It is certainly true that Newcastle could, and arguably should, have taken more from those games.
Benitez’s attitude to those shortcomings being unfortunate, rather than demonstrations of his team’s quality, is exactly what Newcastle need to hear as they head into a period that will see them face two more of last season’s top six over the next four games.
Benitez meshes that ‘unlucky’ attitude with something else, however, as he points out where his team can easily improve.
“We score against Chelsea and concede too early – you have to manage these games a bit better,” said Benitez. “It’s something you can do better, to manage the game in the last minutes. That comes down to experience.
“You keep working, but you make mistakes.”
Newcastle is a club where, for reasons off the pitch, the atmosphere can turn quickly – especially after one point from 12 – but Benitez is keeping things steady while making it clear where improvements can be made.
It is the perfect attitude for Newcastle right now, from a manager who knows exactly what he is doing.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
