Newcastle captain Jamaal Lascelles is optimistic that Rafa Benitez can guide the club to Premier League safety in the final 10 matches of the season.
Despite an improvement in form in 2018, The Magpies remain just two points above the relegation zone in 15th following Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Bournemouth, during which they led 2-0 at half-time before two lapses of concentration in the last 10 minutes were punished.
United have only lost twice in the league in the last two months, on both occasions to leaders Manchester City, and were in control at the Vitality Stadium, missing two presentable chances to secure victory before The Cherries fought back.
And Lascelles is unshakeable in his belief that Newcastle will survive this season, pointing to the fact that working with a manager of Benitez’s calibre is an extra source of motivation for the players.
“Since the manager has been here, the club has been on the rise and the city has been really upbeat,” Lascelles told Sky Sports.
“Things have been really going well so we are going to try and keep it that way. At the minute we are playing really good football.
