Keep calm, carry on and let’s see off the Saints, urges Rafa
BENITEZ KEEPS HIS TEAM FOCUSED AHEAD OF BIG DAY IN SURVIVAL FIGHT
WITH nine games to go Newcastle United find themselves far from comfortable in the table – but in with more than a fighting chance of being a Premier League side again next season.
Compare this to the same stage in 2016, when Newcastle were eventually relegated, and the Magpies are five points better off at the 29-game point in the early days of Rafa Benitez’s tenure.
The former Liverpool boss will privately feel his side are almost there IF they can win back-toback home games against Southampton and Huddersfield Town.
Sitting on 35 points going into April with seven games still left will put them in with a tremendous shout of securing survival early.
Losing on Merseyside on Saturday night would not have been so much of a concern had Newcastle held on to those two points at AFC Bournemouth the week before.
However, Benitez still cut a composed figure in the Anfield press room on a weekend which saw United stay out of the bottom three.
The bookies also seem sure Newcastle do have enough to stave off the threat of relegation – yet Benitez will call for focus this week at the club’s Benton HQ in preparation for a survival dingdong with Southampton.
For Benitez it is all about the Saints now and a game which could put four points between his side and the men from the south coast.
Benitez told the Chronicle: “Every game is like a cup final for us and if you can get points on the board and tick the games off it is good for the motivation of the players.
“At the same time I would like to say we need to stay calm.
“I have said before, and I have read some of the comments, the difference between some of the teams is how you approach the final nine or 10 games.
“For us, it is about being calm. “We have to make sure the team stays solid and consistent and try to be consistent with results.” Benitez knows the tight nature of things mean the Premier League table can change quickly and going into that final ninegame run-in, he commented: “That is what is interesting about the Premier League!” Indeed, just over a week ago it looked like Newcastle were heading towards the top 10 until Bournemouth’s late show at the Vitality Stadium, with Benitez reflecting: “We were just nine minutes away from being in the top 10 and 10 minutes later we were still down there.
“That is why you have to stay calm.
“We have to manage each situation as it comes and make each decision calmly.
“Things can happen.
“If we have a clear mind about what we have to do we will make less mistakes and have more chances to win games.”
Benitez’s former player Mauricio Pellegrino – who United take on next at St James’ Park – is well aware of that fact too. His team was frustrated by a home goalless draw with by Stoke City over the weekend and remain below Newcastle in the table. Saints boss Pellegrino said: “You have to try and find different solutions. “This is the Premier League. We know it is tough. “Everyone tries to win the game. Every game is important now.”
We have to make sure the team stays solid and consistent and try to be consistent with results Rafa Benitez