Glenn Hoddle highlights a problem Newcastle faced for years, but Benitez has changed it

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Glenn Hoddle has praised Newcastle United and manager Rafael Benitez.

Pundit Glenn Hoddle has told BT Sport that he believes Newcastle United are impressing under Rafael Benitez thanks to the dressing room at St. James’ Park.

The Magpies endured a difficult start to the season, losing to Tottenham Hotspur and Huddersfield in their first two games since returning to the Premier League, before being dumped out of the Carabao Cup by Championship side Nottingham Forest.

However, Benitez has now guided his side to three straight Premier League wins, defeating West Ham United 3-0, Swansea City 1-0 and, most recently, Stoke City 2-1.

Captain Jamaal Lascelles has bagged the winning goal in each of the last two games for Newcastle, and the run of three straight wins has seen Newcastle shoot up to fourth place in the Premier League table.

Whilst that may be unsustainable, the mood around St. James’ Park has completely changed over the last month, with Benitez reversing Newcastle’s fortunes after a tricky opening to the campaign.

Defender Lascelles has been vital to that upturn in form, both with his goals and his leadership at the back, and Newcastle will hope to continue their form against Brighton this weekend.

After the 2-1 win over Stoke on Saturday afternoon, pundit Glenn Hoddle spoke to BT Sport about Newcastle, and believes the biggest difference at St. James’ Park is the dressing room that Benitez has assembled.

Hoddle feels that Newcastle have had a disruptive dressing room in recent years, and it’s been difficult for any manager to cope with that – but Benitez has a young captain and a strong dressing room this year, allowing the Magpies to thrive.

“I think what’s he’s done, is that he’s got a good dressing room,” said Hoddle. “I think there’s been a question mark about the dressing room in there. He’s got a young captain, who is leading by example, but he’s got good pro’s in there now. I think they went through a few years where it was a little bit disruptive behind the scenes; that’s very difficult for any manager, if you’ve got that disruption,” he added.