Rafa Benitez has sent a rallying call to fans ahead of Saturday’s crucial clash with Watford, asking fans to be behind the team from the ‘first minute until the last minute’ to give them the confidence to secure our first win of the season.
With us in the bottom three and on the receiving end of our WORST start to a Premier League season in over 100 years, things need to change quickly – and Rafa is clearly wary of that ahead of Saturday’s game.
Here’s what he’s said to NUFC TV ahead of this weekend’s game:
“To play at home for us is always an extra motivation,”
“I hope that our fans will realise that we need them. We need them from the first minute until the last minute so when they are behind the team the players feel as though they get confidence from the fans and they can perform better.
“We are talking about, for example, in the next one Watford – who are a good team. They are doing really well so we will need everybody and hopefully we can keep the same intensity and create the same chances that we did against Brighton and we will score goals, for sure.”
Our home from has been abysmal so far this season, losing all five games. The 1-0 reverse against Brighton last time out was particularly hard to swallow and Benitez will be well aware that poor home form will mean yet another relegation under Mike Ashley.
Rafa then talked about the support he receives, insisting that the ‘key’ is to get behind the team inside St James’ Park:
“I appreciate that they support me.
“But it has to be me and the team together.
“That is the key.”
The fans and manager have a tough balancing act at the moment; the players are short of confidence and desperately need our support to help get the team out of the relegation zone.
Games are though the most effective time to protest against Mike Ashley and we all know this season is key to keeping Rafa and forcing a change of ownership, we have to do something. Ashley has been to our last five games now so let’s make it clear we want him out but let’s stick with the players too.
We have to win games and fast, otherwise the future of the club is starting to look very bleak indeed.
Rafa know well enough by now – if the players perform the fans react.
Stop asking the fans to motivate the team … that’s his job!!. The fans will do there bit – we always have – home or away – Premier League or Championship.
Sharpy17(Quote)