Rafa Benitez undertook a massive squad overhaul at Newcastle United over the summer.
Newcastle United Manager Rafael Benitez
Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez has explained how the uncertainty brought about by the transfer window makes training much more difficult, when speaking at his pre-match press conference, and reported by the Shields Gazette.
The Spaniard brought 12 new faces to St James’ Park over the summer, but also sanctioned the permanent departures of eight first-team members in what was a huge overhaul of his squad.
Rafael Benitez
Benitez highlighted an area of preparation made particularly difficult throughout the summer, as quoted by the Shields Gazette:
“Before, when you have three, four or five players who do not know if they will be here or they will leave, it was hard to organise tactics and set-pieces.”
With a settled squad now, until January at least, Benitez will be hoping that his side can continue their good run of form in the Championship, after three consecutive league wins has seen them rise to fifth in the table.
The former Real Madrid and Liverpool boss went on to highlight how challenging it can be to tactically prepare when certain players are unsure of their future’s at the club:
Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez
“When you say ‘I will prepare a corner’, and you have three players that are thinking ‘I will leave’, so they don’t put any interest in. Now we know where we are. We will work the same way, but I think it will be more productive.”
Newcastle are preparing to face Derby County tonight in the 17:30pm Championship kick-off, in what could prove to be a hugely significant game come the end of the season.
Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez
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