The goalkeeper had started all of the Magpies’ games in the Championship this season before midweek.
Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez
Rafael Benitez has insisted that Matz Sels has responded well since being dropped for Newcastle United’s clash with Norwich City, the Shields Gazette reports.
The summer signing had started the Magpies’ first nine games in the Championship this season, but was left out of the starting line-up against the Canaries on Wednesday with Karl Darlow taking his place.
Newcastle United’s Matz Sels
The Shields Gazette reports that some supporters deemed Sels to be responsible for Aston Villa’s equaliser in his most recent appearance, and Benitez appears to be in at least some agreement with the fans having given Darlow the nod against Norwich.
And Benitez has explained how the Belgian has reacted in training after losing his place in the team.
“He’s reacted fine,” he said, as reported by the Shields Gazette.
“He’s training well, and I think that he knows what to do.
“The message is very clear to all players. They have to understand that they have another team-mate who is competing to play ahead of them, and the way to react is to keep working harder, that’s it.”
Newcastle’s Karl Darlow
With Newcastle arguably boasting the greatest depth between the sticks of any team in the division, it seems likely that unless Darlow enjoys the best form of his career to date, Sels will get another chance in the future.
Rotating his options will remind the stoppers vying for the number one position that if they get at all complacent when they get their chance, they could find themselves well down the pecking order.
And that mentality could help bring the best out of all of their stoppers.
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