Newcastle United midfielder Mo Diame has issued a definitive message of unity to boss Rafael Benitez after the team’s torrid start to the Premier League season.
The first teamer – who stands at six foot [Transfermarkt] – has reassured the Spaniard that the team are fully behind his recent tactical decisions in light of their recent games against Chelsea and Manchester City.
Benitez deployed a 5-4-1 formation once again for their clash with the current title holders, but Diame and his teammates are confident that they can start to achieve positive results throughout the season and end the year on a high.
“The spirit is really good, but it has been this way for a few years now. We know that we need to work hard together if we want to achieve something, and it’s what we’re doing,” he told the Chronicle.
“The manager has spoken about this [the team’s approach] and we are all behind him. We know what the plan is, we’ve been working with him for a while now and we all know what we have to do.
“This is the manager’s idea but we are all backing him and we believe in him. We will do everything to make sure that, come the end of the season, we have got the results that we want.”
OPINION
It has been known that pundits have been full of criticism of Benitez’ recent tactics against two teams in the top-six, but the fact that one of his first team players have come out and pledged their backing to his style will undoubtedly be reassuring for him at this stage of the season. The Magpies have been unlucky with the tough run of games that they had, but they can now get their heads down and get the positive results that they want to end the season on a high. With Benitez’ experience, there is no doubt that he can lead them to decent finish in the league once again, especially now that he has got the backing of his team. The fact that Diame has put his trust in Benitez is a sign that everybody is united at the club – the playing staff that is – and that things can only get better from here on out.
