‘So much at stake’ – Rafa Benitez delivers plea ahead of final Newcastle promotion push
By Danny Wright
Rafa Benitez has urged Newcastle supporters to get behind the team as the Championship season nears its climax.
Fans have been critical of the Spaniard’s tactics in recent weeks after the team has failed to win any of their last three games.
Newcastle have only managed to score once in their winless streak and will look to make amends after the international break when relegation-threatened Wigan travel to St. James’ Park.
Brighton are just one point behind the Magpies, who currently lead the charge for promotion to the Premier League.
The two sides have been the runaway leaders at the top of the second-tier and look a shoe-in for automatic promotion at the end of the campaign.
Benitez is now calling on the Newcastle boo-boys to start supporting his players as they look to return to the top flight as champions.
“It’s true that those who are closest to you can be the most critical. The fans have been magnificent and they’ve earned the right to criticise. Taking on board criticism is important for improvement,” said Benitez, as quoted by the Daily Star.
“But at this stage of the season with so much at stake encouragement from fans can help players achieve better results. They can take energy from positive support from the stands.”
Newcastle are seven points clear of third-place Huddersfield, although the Yorkshire club has a game in hand on the top two sides.
Benitez’s side have eight games left of their Championship campaign and following home ties with Wigan and Burton, they face a fateful double header against Sheffield Wednesday and Leeds – both of whom have promotion aspirations of their own.
In other Newcastle news, Benitez has also talked about his tactics.
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