Isaac Hayden has played 15 times for Newcastle United so far this season.
Isaac Hayden has told Newcastle United’s official website that he appreciated Rafael Benitez taking the pressure off him earlier this season.
Hayden admits that the volume of matches he was playing over the early part of the campaign had fatigued him, and his performances were suffering as a result.
Benitez spotted the former Arsenal man’s dip in form, and the Spanish manager simply had a quick chat with the midfielder to tell him to relax.
The advice had the desired impact on Hayden, who has now rediscovered his best form at St. James’ Park.
And the Newcastle midfielder said: “Before the last international break I’d played a lot of minutes and there were a lot of Saturday-Tuesday games.
”It just took its toll, I guess, on my body and the manager noticed, picked up little things of what why style of play’s like in training, and felt that I was a bit tense.
“He came up to me and was honest and I appreciated that. I went away to the international break wanting to just go and enjoy myself and hopefully get a cap. I did that and I came back with more confidence and I’ve taken that into the next set of games.”
Hayden now appears to have established himself in Newcastle’s first-team, and he has formed an effective partnership with Jonjo Shelvey.
Hayden has already racked up 15 appearances for the Magpies in all competitions, since signing from Arsenal last summer.
Newcastle have won their last eight matches, and they sit at the top of the Championship standings.
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