Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez believes the team have been suffering with a lack of confidence around the opponent’s penalty box in recent matches.
The Magpies recorded a nervy 2-1 win over Championship strugglers Wigan Athletic at the weekend, and it looks like Benitez’s side will have to grind out results to achieve promotion in the last seven games of the season.
Speaking to BBC Radio Newcastle (quotes via the Shields Gazette) Benitez hopes the victory against Wigan will give them confidence heading into the match against Burton Albion tomorrow night:
“What we need now is a little bit more confidence on the ball to create more chances, or to take the chances that we have. When we are close to the box sometimes, you can see that anxiety is a problem, so to win gives you more confidence, and hopefully we can do a little bit better against Burton.”
Nigel Clough’s side have won four of their last six league games, including a surprising 1-0 win over Newcastle’s promotion rivals Huddersfield Town last time out. Despite being one of the favourites to be relegated at the start of the campaign, the Brewers find themselves in 19th place, four points above the relegation places heading into the final stages of the season.
