Shane Clancy
Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez felt that his side made some slight progress with their 0-0 draw at Southampton.
The whole football world knows of the mountainous task Benitez faces with Mike Ashley holding the purse strings at Newcastle. Understandably, The Magpies’ Spanish manager is looking to take all the positives he can, at the moment.
“In the circumstances, it is a positive result, a clean sheet and one point away,’’ Benitez told the BBC.
“We are in a difficult position but it is a small step forward in terms of confidence and showing the team we can compete and do what expecting to do.
“The team is working hard so I can not complain.”
Benitez led Newcastle to a very impressive 10th-place finish, last season. However, the longer this season continues as it has been, the more that mid-table achievement becomes a distant memory for Magpies fans.
Newcastle’s next two games are against Watford and Bournemouth, both at home. Benitez’s side are still without a Premier League win and they will have to up their game significantly if they hope to take three points from either of those two games.