Newcastle United lost against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium in the Premier League at the weekend.
The Magpies suffered a 3-1 defeat to City away from home at the Etihad Stadium in the Premier League on Saturday evening.
Former Celtic and Chelsea striker Cascarino, who now works as a pundit for talkSPORT, has criticised Newcastle manager Benitez for his tactics against Pep Guardiola’s side.
Cascarino wrote in The Times: “Newcastle United’s approach at Manchester City was typical of teams this season and it is playing right into the hands of Pep Guardiola.
“If teams are hoping to put men behind the ball and nick a point, it isn’t going to work. Newcastle were 2-0 down before two attacking substitutions were made and they got a goal back and had other chances.
“Why more teams aren’t following the lead of Liverpool and Bristol City and attacking them is beyond me. Rafa Benítez didn’t want to be embarrassed but if you have a go and lose 6-1 it’s still as many points as losing 3-1.”
Newcastle have a vastly inferior side to that of City, and the Magpies were always going to lose at the Etihad Stadium.
Guardiola’s side were in control from start to finish, and there was never any doubt that they were going to drop even a point.
True, Benitez played a cautious game, but the former Liverpool and Chelsea manager is not exactly a manager who plays expanse football.
Moreover, losing by a big margin would have had a bad effect on the players’ morale and confidence, especially now when Newcastle are in genuine danger of getting relegated to the Championship at the end of the season.
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