Newcastle have a huge squad, and as a result plenty of competition for places.
Newcastle United defender Grant Hanley has told the Chronicle that the big squad and rotation policy undertaken by manager Rafa Benitez is a positive thing in terms of competition for places.
On the field it seems to be having a decent effect as well, with Newcastle well in touch in the race for promotion as they sit in third in the Championship, three points off the top. They are also in the last 16 of the EFL Cup, where they have an excellent chance of making it through to the quarter-finals when they face Preston North End at home.
Hanley told the Chronicle: “We have a big squad and have players who are itching to play. It’s good and competitive.
“The lads have done well so far so hopefully, we can carry it on.”
Hanley was one of 12 summer arrivals at the club in a £6 million deal from Blackburn Rovers. There are no guarantees that he will get regular games this season, having made just the four appearances in all competitions to date.
It does seem that Rafa Benitez is using the 46-game season, along with the cup competitions that Newcastle will be involved in along the way, to rotate his players and give some of the players that are closer to the fringes than others enough game time to keep themselves sharp.
Hanley seems to be enjoying things even though he is not necessarily first choice, and the competitive nature of it all is helped when the side is doing pretty well on the field.
The Magpies are well positioned at this stage of the season and will hope to kick on again following the international break after picking up back-to-back wins beforehand.
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