Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez believes the Magpies will finish top of the table this season if they put the work in to reach their potential and play at their maximum level.
Talking at the pre-match conference yesterday before tonight’s match against Norwich at St James’ Park, the Magpies boss says that they will be first come the end of the campaign if performance levels are consistent despite the difficulties that the Championship poses. He is quoted by the Shields Gazette as saying:
“We have to perform at the level we know we can perform. We can beat anyone, or we can lose to anyone, because it is a difficult league. But if we do what we have to do we will get stronger and stronger and at the end of the season we will be at the top.”
“Obviously, you respect your rivals. But the main thing is we have the potential. “Play to maximum, sometimes you draw or lose, but at the end you’ll be at the top of the table.”
Benitez’s side go into the match against the Canaries after a loss to Wolves at home and a draw away at Aston Villa. They currently sit in ninth place with 16 points, six behind league leaders Huddersfield Town. A win tonight will move them up to third, three points from the top but a defeat would leave them seven points behind Norwich and six behind an automatic promotion spot.
