Can Rafa Benitez Help Continue Newcastle’s Recent Resurgence?

Posted on November 10th, 2017 | One Comment |

Rafa Benitez has been responsible for turning the fortunes of Newcastle United around, adding another promotion to his glittering CV in the process, but can the Spaniard continue moving the club in the right direction, and is there any possibility he could add further silverware to the St. James’ Park trophy cabinet?

At the end of September, Newcastle won three successive matches in the top flight for the first time since 2001 to truly announce their arrival back in the Premier League. Toon fans were casting glances towards the top six as the Magpies showed spirit and fight in abundance, led by inspirational captain, Jamaal Lascelles. Despite being priced at 31/4 for relegation, they have so far looked unlikely to slip back into the Championship and a more realistic 21/20 in the online football betting at Guts.com to be the top promoted club may be a better option as Newcastle have made themselves incredibly difficult to break down and proved stubborn opposition for a number of sides so far this campaign.

Although many fans were quite rightly getting excited over their side’s excellent start in the Premier League, Rafa Benitez has urged his players to remain grounded. Recent results haven’t been as kind although Newcastle were incredibly dominant and should have been out of sight by halftime on November 4, but ended up conceded an injury time goal to Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth.

It is well-documented that Newcastle failed to complete deals for a number of top targets during the summer transfer window, but that frustration appears to have galvanised Benitez and his side, who have impressed during the opening two months. A striker is the priority once the window re-opens at the beginning of 2018, and added firepower should help them aim for a top-eight finish. If the former Liverpool manager can secure a prolific finisher, his side should also be able to put together a good run in the FA Cup. The North East side have a poor record in this competition over the past ten years, but with no imminent threat of relegation and the freedom offered by a mid-table position in the Premier League, 2018 could be the year to put that right. Having already bowed out of the EFL Cup at the hands of Nottingham Forest, the FA Cup is Newcastle’s only hope of a trophy and they shouldn’t waste the opportunity.

Rafa Benitez is extremely content in the Newcastle dugout despite the off-field shenanigans and that should fill Toon fans with plenty of hope. He is 100% committed to the cause and would have walked away long ago if he didn’t feel as though he could move the club forward. They have very winnable-looking games against Watford, West Brom and struggling Everton before the hectic Christmas schedule kicks in and it could prove perfect opportunity to cement their place in the top half.

The current squad is the youngest in the Premier League but there is a togetherness about them and they certainly know how to roll their sleeves up and dig in. They’ve conceded just 10 goals in 11 Premier League matches and if Benitez can add some much-needed potency to the side, the sky is their limit. Rafa is the perfect man to inspire the squad and get the best out of the current crop of players but he will need assistance from the board in January, with the club requiring swift and decisive action in order to tie down their key targets. Despite successive defeats against Burnley and Bournemouth, the Magpies continue to make progress and they are lucky enough to have one of the best coaches in Europe dedicated to the cause. A decent run in the FA Cup and a top half finish are both realistic and extremely achievable targets for Newcastle United this season and Rafa Benitez is certainly to help his side push for both.