Shay Given shared that he thought Rafa Benitez would manage to keep Newcastle United in the Premier League but admitted he thought the current squad is not strong enough for the division.
The 42-year-old shared that while he predicts that the Magpies will avoid relegation in the Premier League this season, fans want more than from their side.
Given shared that Magpies supporters want their club to be trying to qualify for a European competition and also added that his former side’s display against Chelsea this season did worry him.
“I’d agree (about last season’s 10th finish being misleading) they will be worrying for weeks and months ahead,” said Given on talkSPORT (Thursday August 30, 8:54am).
“Cause I don’t think the squad is strong enough but I think with Rafa at the helm I think they will be well-organised and good enough to stay in the Premier League.
“But I’ve been in the city nearly 12 years and that’s not what they (fans) want, they want to be challenging at the top, part of the league, get back in the Champions League or Europa League.
“That’s a worry (Chelsea display), even go back to the last game of last season when they beat Chelsea 3-0 at home, they really had a proper go at Chelsea and perhaps Chelsea had an off day but still that’s what fans want to see.”
OPINION
Given is a little harsh to deem the Magpies’ current squad not strong enough but you can see where he is coming from. The Magpies’ 3-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest on Wednesday showed that Benitez’s current squad lacked depth and you wonder what will happen if a injury crisis strikes. Benitez has enough players capable of fielding a formidable starting eleven on a regular basis but that is only when everyone is fit. The Magpies boss will have to work his magic once again to get best out of his side and it won’t be surprise to see the tactics he deployed against Chelsea rear their ugly head once again. Benitez knows he has to squeeze points out of games where ever possible and sometimes playing defensively is the only way he’s going to take points off some of the stronger sides in the division. With his side set to face Manchester City on Saturday then it will be interesting to see how often the Magpies try to attack them as based on the game against Blues, it may be a case of locking up shop and hoping for the best.
