OPINION
For the first time at St James’ Park on Saturday you could hear grumblings against the manager Rafael Benitez.
For the entirety of the Spaniard’s time on Tyneside any vitriol has been directed against the unpopular owner Mike Ashley, but it was Benitez’s decision to bring off winger Matt Ritchie that broke the spell.
Protests could be heard from the stands as the Scotland international made his way off the pitch, with the former Bournemouth man, on a reported £45,000-per-week [Source: Spotrac], himself questioning the decision.
NUFC fans boo the substitution of Matt Ritchie and the winger laughs as he is again replaced by Benitez. Ritchie asks the manager "what for?" as he walks past him. Have to say it is strange how Ritchie makes way ahead of Atsu.
— Craig Hope (@CraigHope_DM) September 29, 2018
The manager’s decision to bring off arguably the best performing Newcastle player on the pitch was bizarre in the extreme, and the reaction from the supporters was evidence of that.
The switch looks even more confusing when you examine the struggles of Ritchie’s Magpies team mate Christian Atsu on the opposite wing.
The Ghana international looked lost against the Foxes, and was being completely outperformed by the 29-year-old Ritchie on the opposite flank.
Benitez must ensure he makes peace with Ritchie, however, as the Scotsman is one of the best players he has at his disposal and the only winger who’s done anything of note this season.
The Magpies boss needs to admit that he made a mistake substituting the midfielder and ensure that he has Ritchie on side for what will surely be a long, hard season.
With so many players underperforming at the start of this campaign Benitez cannot risk alienating one of his more trusted charges. Ritchie has been key for Newcastle in the last couple of seasons and he’ll be needed again this term.
Wingers Atsu, Kenedy and Jacob Murphy have all been underwhelming, to say the least, so far this campaign, while Ritchie has actually put in a few decent performances recently.
Benitez has always been regarded as a tactical genius, but he needs to utilise the man-management side of his game now. Ritchie needs to know his manager values him, and Benitez needs to realise he made an error on Saturday.
Newcastle simply don’t have enough quality in the squad for the manager to make enemies of his players. Ritchie was unhappy on Saturday, with reason, and now Benitez must rectify the situation.
