Benitez wants ‘passion’ and ‘intensity’ from Newcastle United players
By Roy Emanuel
Newcastle United’s manager aims to avoid a drop in overall effort.
Newcastle United and manager Rafa Benitez certainly want to see more positivity in recent results, and they have that opportunity today at Watford. Two consecutive Premier League losses without a goal scored have feelings on Tyneside a bit frustrated, and the Toon’s boss thinks that overall effort will help to guide the club back towards victory.
During his press conference on Friday, Benitez spoke of how he desires to see his squad re-capture the “intensity” and “passion”, no doubt referring to their four-match winning run that pushed Newcastle up to tenth place in the table.
The club are still in a fantastic position to avoid relegation, but the 58-year-old tactician will want to finish the 2017-18 campaign in a strong manner.
RAFA BENÍTEZ wants his #NUFC side to rediscover their “intensity” and “passion” when they take on @WatfordFC at Vicarage Road tomorrow.
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) May 4, 2018
👉🏽 https://t.co/sNFfn17MZL pic.twitter.com/8vYIcNEcgq
This type of motivation may sound similar for players and fans in some respects, as it has been a common theme throughout the season.
Believing in team-mates and remaining focused have been trademarks of various Benitez pressers. However, this is a situation where complacency could be affecting United.
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Newcastle’s manager also mentioned on Friday that centre-back Ciaran Clark and Ghanaian winger Christian Atsu may not be available for the match at Watford.
Rafa: “In the beginning, finishing in the top 17 would have been an achievement. To finish in the top ten would be even better.” #NUFC pic.twitter.com/07J0kNMovT
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) May 4, 2018
The road ahead
Any Newcastle supporter would have been just fine with the club finishing above the bottom three, as securing top-flight football was the key objective of the term.
These targets should be altered thanks to several victories, and it is not always easy to maintain that competitive edge once certain goals have been achieved.
Tottenham and Chelsea present major challenges in the Magpies’ final two contests, so maximum effort against Watford will be crucial.
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Newcastle United and Rafa Benitez want to conclude the current season with more points, and the only way for that to happen is to have the players fighting for every advantage out on the pitch.