Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez is urging Magpies fans to get behind the team and help the side gain automatic promotion back to the Premier League.
Benitez’s side face playoff contenders Leeds United at St James’ Park on Good Friday, and also have two other home games against Preston North End and Barnsley before the season is over. Benitez is quoted as saying by the Shields Gazette that he wants the 50,000 strong crowd to help push Newcastle over the line:
“We know that these games could be very difficult. Now all we have to do is go to the level we’ve been playing in the past and be sure we improve our performance. I think the fans realise, watching these games, that we need them. We know they will continue supporting the team until the end.”
The blow of the 2-1 defeat to Sheffield Wednesday was softened by the fact that Huddersfield Town had already lost 2-0 to Nottingham Forest, and it means the Magpies still have a sizeable ten point gap over third place heading into the last five games of the season.
With Benitez’s rallying call however it seems clear he doesn’t want any more slip ups in ensuring they seal promotion to the top flight. A good performance against Leeds on Friday will go some way to easing any lingering doubts about not finishing in the top two.
