Former Newcastle United midfielder Jermaine Jenas has been speaking about their survival chances this season.
Former Newcastle United midfielder Jermaine Jenas has told BBC Radio 5Live that it will be a “miracle” if the club aren’t relegated from the Premier League this season.
The Magpies are 15th in the table, unbeaten in three matches but only three points clear of the drop zone.
The 34-year-old is primarily concerned about United’s home form after Saturday’s 1-1 draw with rock-bottom Swansea City made it seven winless league games at St James’ Park.
Jenas played 146 times for Newcastle between 2002 and 2005 and helped them to third and fifth-place finishes in his first two seasons, but he reckons the current side would be doomed without manager Rafael Benitez.
“I don’t think there has ever been a time in the Premier League era where teams are looking forward to going to St James’ Park more than they are now,” Jenas told BBC Radio 5Live.
“You have got to be realistic and this Newcastle side are not a top team. It is really not. If they remain in the Premier League this year it is a miracle as far as I am concerned.
“When I look at them individually and if Benitez wasn’t there, they would 100 per cent go down.”
If Benitez is indeed Newcastle’s only hope of survival, then owner Mike Ashley must push through his sale of the club or back the Spaniard in the January transfer market.
According to The Telegraph, Benitez was close to walking away from Tyneside after not being backed financially in the summer window, and he is yet to be given a penny to spend this month.
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