Rafa Benitez confirms ‘meeting’ with NUFC star after early season struggles

Rafa Benitez has admitted to holding a meeting with Kenedy over the last few days in a bit to increase his confidence levels after poor performances against Cardiff and Nottingham Forest recently.

There were signs of improvement against City on Saturday, with him at least looking more energetic and interested, however it’s vital that we see the real Kenedy return – with him being one of the main reasons we went from relegation fodder to the top 10 during the final few months of last season.

His showing in the 0-0 draw at Cardiff was a horror show on so many levels, with him failing to complete a pass in the first half, kicking out and later missing a penalty and it seems like his confidence has taken a bit of a hit since then.

Here’s what Rafa’s had to say, suggesting that Kenedy wasn’t the only player he spoke to after last week’s shocking defeat at Nottingham Forest:

“We’re trying to give him confidence.

“In the last couple of days I’ve had a few meetings with individuals. I’ve spoken with them, and I’m trying to help them learn, to show them what they have to do, analyse games on the video.

“After, we go on the pitch and we practice. He has my confidence.”

A much needed intervention from Rafa.

Kenedy is a real talent, but you could see just how little confidence he had during that cup defeat at Forest, with it being his first game after THAT performance at Cardiff.

He didn’t set the world alight at City and didn’t have many moments on the ball, but he got stuck in, looked energetic and didn’t hide – although was replaced early in the second half after having ‘headaches’ according to Benitez.

Hopefully we can see him back to his best soon enough – starting with the visit of Arsenal a week on Saturday.

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About Olly Hawkins

As a Junior Magpie since birth and season ticket holder, I eat, sleep and breathe all things NUFC! Here at the blog, I aim to bring you news, views, match reports and transfer exclusives as and when I get them.

One thought on “Rafa Benitez confirms ‘meeting’ with NUFC star after early season struggles

  1. Kenedy has bags of talent, what he seems to lack is grit and determination. He has to learn that NUFC fans understand not every trick will come off – we can live with at. But lack of workrate, well you have to be really good for us to accept that – I’m talking Ginola, Robert good.
    What he also has to learn is just coz we are critical, doesn’t mean we’ve turned our backs on him. We are honest about what we expect from any player putting that shirt on – we see it as a privilege that has to be earned.
    He should speak with Diame, who went through a similar experience last season, but became a better player for it imo.

      (Quote)

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