Rafa Benitez thought the overall performance of a weak Newcastle side yesterday was not up to scratch overall.
And it’s performances like this why fans are worried we could again be relegated in May if we don;lt play a lot better than this -0 especially at home.
We still have only two wins in 12 total games at home and two draws – that’s a hopeless home record for the Magpies this term which has to get better.
Matt Ritchie equalizes with a late penalty
Rafa was about the game and he started out by identifying what he thought were positives:
“Some young players playing, some players who have not been playing having 90 minutes under their belts.”
“The reaction of the team after we conceded and Florian Lejeune coming back after four and a half months with a serious injury.”
“Those are positives.”But then he went on to underline the performance wasn’t up for scratch overall.”
“Disappointed because we have to play another game. When you play at home, you have to try to finish.”
“We didn’t play at the level that I was expecting, but at least the reaction was quite good.”
“Yes, in terms of another game, another situation that you have to manage with more minutes, more players, more risk.”
“We were trying, but they were pushing hard.”
“You could see how they were running for every single ball and then sometimes it’s more difficult for you to play with the confidence that you have to play with.”
“But overall, the reaction of the team was good in the final minutes and I take that as a positive.”
The fans were good because you have a lot of fans coming to these games.”
“You are playing against a Championship team, but they come, a lot of them, to support the team.”
“So we will try to do well and if we can carry on in the competition, we will see if we can do it.”
It’s another game Newcastle will need to play a week on Wednesday at Ewood Park – and that’s three days before we play Cardiff City at home.
Comments welcome.
3 comments so far
hibbit
Jan 6, 2019 at 7:51 AM
Comment #1https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/sport/newcastle-offer-rafa-benitez-one-year-contractextension-pp597mbj7
Lindisfarne
Jan 6, 2019 at 7:54 AM
Comment #2Play Joselu and Rondon together and risk not having a target man for the Cardiff match
Lindisfarne
Jan 6, 2019 at 8:05 AM
Comment #3Did Staveley actually get to see the clubs accounts?