Rafa Benitez has been speaking to the media today in for his pre-match press conference ahead of tomorrow’s trip to Stamford Bridge.
Here are some of the key points to take from Rafa’s presser today:
- Rafa has confirmed that Christian Atsu, Jamaal Lascelles and Paul Dummett are all out once again, but revealed that the first-team trio are all ‘close’ to returning – suggesting they could be back for Leicester next week?
- The gaffer also said he very pleased with the competition with strikers when asked about Aleksandar Mitrovic – admitting that everyone who came on did well at West Brom.
- Rafa then touched on our defensive issues, stating “The team will improve defensively, but they will need time. The only way is to work harder and better.”
- Benitez refused to say who he will be starting in goals tomorrow, however says that Rob Elliot has been ‘training well’, stating that this competition with Darlow is ‘crucial’ for us.
- Rafa believes there were ‘a lot of positives’ from Tuesday’s draw and admits their ‘confidence is high’, feeling we showed superb ‘character’ and ‘togetherness’ to come back from 2-0 down.
- He says he does not want to see anyone play with ‘fear’ in tomorrow’s game – stating that the player must see it as a ‘challenge’ instead, believing it is possible to take 3 points tomorrow.
- Rafa then addressed his relationship with the Chelsea fans from his stint at the club, admitting that most fans are fine, but any dislike only comes from Chelsea’s rivalry with former club Liverpool.
Rafa: “After #wba there were a lot of positives and confidence is high. It was a great way to show character and togetherness of the team.” #nufc
— Lee Ryder (@lee_ryder) December 1, 2017
Rafa: "I was talking to Atsu, Lascelles and Dummett, and they are very close (to being fit). But we didn't take them for this game because the other players were doing well and it makes no sense to take any risks." #NUFC
— Matthew Raisbeck (@raisbeck10) December 1, 2017
Rafa on Mitrovic: “We have very good competition with strikers and I am pleased with it” #nufc
— Lee Ryder (@lee_ryder) December 1, 2017
Benitez says Rob Elliot will have to wait until tomorrow to find out if he has lost the No.1 jersey to Karl Darlow on a permanent basis
— Craig Hope (@CraigHope_DM) December 1, 2017
Rafa: "I don't want to see anyone with fear, so they have to approach the game like a challenge. We know the games against teams at the bottom can be more important because you can get points they cannot get. But you can get 3 points against Chelsea & we will try our best." #NUFC
— Matthew Raisbeck (@raisbeck10) December 1, 2017
