Mikel Merino discloses Rafa Benitez’s message to Newcastle squad after difficult start; comments on St James’ Park atmosphere

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Newcastle United struggled in their opening few games of the Premier League season before picking up their first win.

Mikel Merino has suggested that Rafa Benitez urged his Newcastle players to keep faith with what they were doing after their fairly underwhelming start to the new season, and also disclosed his thoughts on the St James’ Park atmosphere, the Chronicle reports.

The Magpies have endured an eventful start to the campaign, losing their opening two Premier League games following their return to the top flight and subsequently being beaten at home by Nottingham Forest in the League Cup.

Things look slightly brighter for Newcastle however, as they went into the international break having opened their account for the season with an emphatic win over West Ham.

And Merino – who put in a brilliant performance against the Hammers – suggested that Benitez’s positivity was a key reason for the victory.

“Rafa says to us to keep the faith and we believe in his words. So what we have to keep doing is keep trying hard, keep playing, and the main thing is to keep doing good things and if we do it then we know good things will come. We are with our coach and we know this is the way to act,” he said, as reported by the Chronicle.

Despite the adversity that the club appears to have faced in recent weeks, the supporters have driven the side on this term. And Merino outlined just how taken aback he has been by the atmosphere created by the Toon Army.

“It’s incredible. It is incredible when you win because the crowd is really happy and in this game the crowd was really with the team, which is something we know we really need,” he added.

“We need the crowd to keep going even when things go wrong and I think these fans are going to be with us.”

While it would hardly be a surprise if most players who arrived at the club found the St James’ Park atmosphere to be like nothing they have ever experienced before, it must not be forgotten that Merino arrived on Tyneside from Borussia Dortmund.

Dortmund’s fans make the Westfalenstadion one of the most intimidating atmospheres in European football, so for Merino to be amazed by Newcastle’s supporters is really something.