The Magpies may have cruised their way through the division in recent weeks, but Benitez is well aware that things can change quickly.
Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez has warned his side not to let their focus slip as they prepare to travel to “dangerous” Barnsley on Tuesday, according to the Chronicle.
The Magpies have recovered from a slow period of adaptation at the start of the season to justify their status as clear promotion favourites in recent weeks, Saturday’s 3-1 win against Brentford (below) keeping them just a point adrift of top-of-the-table Norwich City.
However, Benitez, who also confirmed that underperforming midfielder Mo Diame could return to the starting line-up after being rested against the Bees, has warned his side not to underestimate Barnsley despite a dismal run of five games without a win.
“It’s important when you play two games a week it’s important to go to the next one on the back of a win”, the former Chelsea manager told the Chronicle.
“You need the right mentality. We must enjoy the next game. We have a confident feeling in what we are doing. I have told the players this is a dangerous game, it will be played with high intensity.”
“We must not go there feeling too confident because this team can score goals.”
The Tykes started the season strongly after beating Millwall 3-1 in last season’s League One Play-Off Final, but their 4-2 defeat at home to Fulham on Saturday was their fourth reverse out of five since an exceptional 4-0 away win at Wolves in mid-September.
Consequently, a Newcastle team inspired by the glorious form of Jonjo Shelvey and prolific goalscoring of Dwight Gayle will travel to Oakwell as clear favourites but, as defeats to Fulham and Huddersfield Town earlier in the season proved, the Championship is far from predictable.
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