Rafa Benitez has started talking Newcastle down. Is he falling into the same trap David Moyes did at Sunderland?
Rafa Benitez has been attempting to temper expectations at Newcastle United amid a disappointing start to the season.
Newcastle have lost their opening two games of the Premier League campaign, defeated by Tottenham and Huddersfield.
The positivity around Newcastle which surrounded them when they won promotion has been sapped after an underwhelming transfer window, and Benitez has admitted his squad may not be ready for the challenge ahead.
He was quoted by The Mirror: “Maybe it is too soon for us. It will take some time for sure.
“I could say we deserved to get something, but my experience in the Premier League is that you have to take your chances because if you make mistakes, you will pay for them.
“It is a learning process for us, and hopefully we can learn quickly. That is how it is at the moment.”
Benitez is just being honest, and his comments are not incorrect – but he risks falling into the exact same trap as David Moyes did at Sunderland last season.
12 months ago Moyes admitted in August that Sunderland’s aim was to avoid relegation, and he got rightfully slaughtered by fans and pundits alike for a negative outlook.
Sunderland went down without a fight, and Moyes’ uninspiring comments were seen as a galvanising factor, having failed to inspire his players.
Benitez is evidently frustrated at the situation on and off the pitch at Newcastle, but he has to avoid talking the club into a relegation battle and must publicly set his sights higher.
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