Rafael Benitez claims Yoshinori Muto needs to improve in the air

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Newcastle United drew 0-0 away at Southampton on Saturday afternoon.

Newcastle United are still searching for a first win of the season, and drew another blank in front of goal on Saturday afternoon as they drew 0-0 at Southampton.

The Magpies were coming off the back of a 1-0 home defeat to Brighton and Hove Albion, and were looking to finally get their season kickstarted with a trip to the South Coast.

Ultimately, the game finished 0-0, as Southampton once again showed their profligacy in front of goal with a host of missed chances, and Newcastle again showed their lack of attacking edge as the two teams perfectly summed up their respective problems.

Newcastle have only scored six times in 10 games this season, a record only worsened by Huddersfield Town’s four goals, and they have now failed to find the net in four of their last five Premier League games.

Until Newcastle can start to find the net, they simply won’t be moving up the table any time soon, even with battling clean sheets like the one at St Mary’s Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Benitez did bring in two strikers over the summer in Salomon Rondon and Yoshinori Muto, and whilst Rondon has been struggling for fitness and was only a substitute against Southampton, Japanese ace Muto started for the third game in a row.

The 26-year-old couldn’t find the net, and his only goal came in that 3-2 defeat at Manchester United earlier this month, but his display offered some promise to manager Benitez.

Benitez told The Chronicle that he was happy with Muto’s display as he worked hard, but feels that he needs to learn about English football in a sense of improving in the air, with Premier League football more physical than what Muto is used to in Japan or Germany.

“Muto worked hard as well,” said Benitez. “We needed hard work from the strikers and we needed pace. Then we had to make substitutions to have fresh legs. I am happy with Muto. He has to learn about English football especially when challenging in the air. But he is working hard and I am happy with him,” he added.