Rafael Benitez makes surprising claim about Newcastle’s start to the season

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The Magpies have made a promising start to life in the Championship.

Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez

Rafael Benitez has admitted that he is not happy with the start that Newcastle United have made to life in the Championship, and suggested that they could improve in all areas, the Shields Gazette reports.

The Magpies have recovered from two defeats in their first two games of the league season by losing just once more in their subsequent seven fixtures.

Newcastle’s DeAndre Yedlin celebrates with team mates after Aston Villa’s Tommy Elphick scored an own goal

And while the side are currently ninth in the table, they could move up to third if they manage to beat Norwich City at St James’ Park on Wednesday, leaving them just three points adrift of league leaders Huddersfield.

Nevertheless, Benitez is not as positive about Newcastle’s start as some supporters may be.

“I’m not happy [with the start], it could be better,” he said, as reported by the Shields Gazette.

Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez speaks to players

“I was doing some analysis, and we can improve our game a bit better. We can improve in all departments. In attack, we have to take our chances. In the middle, we have to control the game and the ball a bit better. At the back, we have to defend better.

“We can also improve the substitutions.”

Though the Spaniard is not completely happy, their form since losing to Huddersfield has been hugely impressive. They won seven of their next eight games in all competitions, and would have made that eight out of nine had they managed to hold on to their narrow lead against Aston Villa at the weekend.

And while he has suggested that all areas need improvement, United boast the strongest goal difference in the division, with only three teams scoring more goals than themselves and only one conceding less.

And while Benitez is currently playing down the quality of their performances, a victory over the Canaries would go a long way to convincing the manager that they are heading in the right direction.