Mike Ashley came to watch Newcastle United’s match at the weekend.
Ashley has not been at a Newcastle game in over a year, but he was spotted at Selhurst Park.
And Benitez believes that Ashley’s return to watching Newcastle can be seen as a positive.
“I like to see the owner supporting the team. It’s not me, it’s the team,” Benitez said.
“We have to be sure that everybody supports the team starting with the owner and everyone. If it’s like that, I’ve said before, we will be stronger.
“I have to take this as a positive. If he comes to see the team, he can see the players, what we have, and hopefully he can be more sensible, and he will be ready to do something if we need to do it.”
Ashley’s and Benitez’s relationship is known not to be the strongest, with the Spanish boss’s future still uncertain as a result.
It is widely expected that Benitez will leave Newcastle when his current contract expires, unless Ashley has a big change of policy and backs the team with more funds.
Newcastle managed to get a 0-0 draw with Palace, in a game that was short of chances.
Palace arguably had the better of the opportunities, but Newcastle held firm to claim what could be a valuable point.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
