Newcastle United have collected seven more points on their travels than they have at home in the Championship this season.
Newcastle United Manager Rafael Benitez
Rafa Benitez has suggested that Newcastle United have a better record away from home than at home due to the way that opposition teams tend to play against the Magpies at St James’ Park, the Chronicle reports.
Newcastle arguably have the best, and most imposing stadium in the Championship, and yet they have still collected seven more points on the road than they have done in front of their own fans.
While the fact that they have played two more away games would account for some of those points, it is still surprising that Newcastle have been less successful at home.
But speaking after their goalless draw with Reading, Benitez explained that the way that opponents have looked to set up when they have travelled at St James’ Park is probably the reason for their inability to register as many points.
Newcastle United’s Jonjo Shelvey celebrates
“I would like to think we can enjoy games at home with 50,000 fans behind the team. But we know teams come away from home and they are quite compact,” he said, as reported by the Chronicle.
“In football now they know their jobs and when they play Newcastle they have to defend.”
Benitez will be hoping that they can find a way to break teams down regularly at home during the final weeks of the campaign as just four of their remaining 10 fixtures see them play away from home.
And with Huddersfield able to move to within six points of the Magpies should they win their game in hand, it is fair to say that Newcastle are, by no means, guaranteed to secure themselves a top two spot in the table.
But with two of their next three home games pitting them against teams fighting for survival, they will surely have the perfect opportunity to improve against sides who look to sit behind the ball and hold out for a point.
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