By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.
Accept
Okay.ngOkay.ngOkay.ng
Font ResizerAa
  • News
    • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Business & Economy
  • Sport
  • Tech
Reading: Newcastle Players All Have A Role to Play In Relegation Battle – Rafael Benitez
Share
Font ResizerAa
Okay.ngOkay.ng
  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Business & Economy
  • Sport
  • Tech
Search
  • News
    • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Business & Economy
  • Sport
  • Tech
Follow US
  • About Okay.ng
  • Advertising on Okay.ng
  • Contact Okay.ng
  • Careers
  • Meet the Team behind Okay.ng
  • Ownership and Funding of Okay.ng
  • Editorial Principles at Okay.ng
© OKN MEDIA PUBLISHING 2022 - All rights reserved
Sport

Newcastle Players All Have A Role to Play In Relegation Battle – Rafael Benitez

Farouk Mohammed
By Farouk Mohammed
Published: April 22, 2016
Share
3 Min Read
SHARE

Rafael_Benitez_andros_townsend-large_trans++qVzuuqpFlyLIwiB6NTmJwfSVWeZ_vEN7c6bHu2jJnT8

Rafael Benitez has told his Newcastle players they could still be heroes even if they play for only a few minutes as he attempts to steer the club clear of relegation danger.

The Magpies have at least given themselves a chance of preserving their Premier League status with a return of four points from home games against Swansea and Manchester City, but travel to the Spaniard’s former club Liverpool on Saturday still deep in trouble.

Benitez made big decisions ahead of those two games, leaving £12 million January signing Jonjo Shelvey sitting on the bench for both and leading scorer Georginio Wijnaldum among the substitutes against City on Tuesday evening.

- Advertisement -

However, the 56-year-old wants all his players ready to perform to their best wherever they start a game, just as he did during his time at Anfield.

He said: “Jonjo or Gini [Wijnaldum] when you talk about them not playing, their reaction has been good. They are key players, they are working hard and they have to compete, and that’s positive for the team as it brings the best from the team.

“I use the example of Vladimir Smicer. At Liverpool, he was not playing too many games and I said to the players who weren’t playing too many games, ‘You have to be ready and fit, you never know when you will be important.’

“And he was. He came in and he was massive for us in the Champions League final.

- Advertisement -

“Gini came on [against City] and he could have won the game in the last five minutes, so the players have to know how important they are because in the end, they can make the difference. They have to be ready.”

Benitez is held in warm affection on the red half of Merseyside after that famous 2005 Champions League success in Istanbul, but he faces a very different challenge this time around.

Newcastle remain two points adrift of safety with just four games remaining and have not won a league game at Liverpool since April 1994.

Benitez has been asked repeatedly how keeping the club up would rank alongside to Champions League glory, but he is reluctant to compare the two.

He said: “It would be massive for everyone and fantastic for me, but you can’t rank things. People ask me about Istanbul but it’s different.

“Staying up would be massive — and I’d be really pleased — and the beginning of something special for this club.”

Stay Updated on the Go with Our Latest News—Join Our WhatsApp Channel Now!
TAGGED:NewcastleRafael Benitez
Share This Article
Facebook Whatsapp Whatsapp Telegram Email Copy Link Print
ByFarouk Mohammed
Publisher
Follow:
Farouk Mohammed is a Head Editor at Okay Nigeria (Okay.ng). He has been publishing for 10 years and focused more on Local/World News on Okay.ng
Previous Article UNILAG Announce Date to Resume Academic Activities (Details)
Next Article Use of Pidgin English On Stage Has Limited Our Comedians – Basketmouth

Connect with Okay on Social

FacebookLike
XFollow
InstagramFollow
TelegramFollow

Dollar/Naira Rates

Dollar to Naira Exchange Rate

Okay.ng Logo
Buy Rate ₦1,605.00
Sell Rate ₦1,620.00

Last updated: 4 days ago (June 3, 2025 2:33 pm)

Displayed rates are for informational purposes only and are subject to change.

USD/NGN Converter

- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
Ad imageAd image
- Advertisement -
Ad imageAd image

Recent Posts

Pastor Adeboye
Pastor Adeboye Shares Divine Directive: Leaving RCCG Could Lead to Tragic Loss
News
Anglican Bishop of Lafia Calls on President Tinubu to Address Root Causes of Nigeria’s Insecurity and Economic Woes
News
Egbe Bobakeye Okunrin Akile Ijebu Refutes False Claims About Queen Elizabeth II’s 1956 Visit
News
NRC Managing Director Warns Against Railway Vandalism: “We Don’t Have Scraps, We Have National Assets”
News
Tragic Head-On Collision in Jigawa Claims Nine Lives, Dozens Injured
News
- Advertisement -
Ad imageAd image

You May Also Like

Sport

Victor Osimhen Returns to Nigeria as Al Hilal Transfer Hangs in Balance Ahead of FIFA Club World Cup

Oluwadara Akingbohungbe
Oluwadara Akingbohungbe
June 7, 2025
News

Tinubu Urged by PDP to Cut Fuel and Electricity Costs Amid Eid-el-Kabir Festivities

Oluwadara Akingbohungbe
Oluwadara Akingbohungbe
June 7, 2025
Mike Ejeagha
News

Mike Ejeagha, Nigerian Highlife Maestro, Dies at 95

Muhammad A. Aliyu
Muhammad A. Aliyu
June 7, 2025
Okay.ngOkay.ng
Follow US
© OKN MEDIA PUBLISHING 2025 - All rights reserved
  • About Okay.ng
  • Advertising on Okay.ng
  • Contact Okay.ng
  • Careers
  • Meet the Team behind Okay.ng
  • Ownership and Funding of Okay.ng
  • Editorial Principles at Okay.ng
adbanner
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?