BBC pundit Andy Townsend has claimed that Newcastle United fans could turn on Rafa Benitez if the club don’t start playing more attacking football.
The Magpies secured a vital 1-0 win over Leicester City Friday night to all but ensure their Premier League survival, but Townsend believes that the fans could grow frustrated with the conservative approach that Benitez prefers.
Speaking on Radio 5 Live, as quoted in the Chronicle, he said: “Whenever I have watched Newcastle away from home against any of the better teams.
“They have just not been programmed to play the way the fans expect.
“Even though they adore Rafa Benitez right now, we know how quickly things can change in football.”
OPINION
To be honest, you get the impression that Townsend doesn’t have a clue what he’s on about here. Ordinarily, the Toon Army might turn on a defensive manager, but this is Rafa Benitez we’re on about. The man is worshipped on Tyneside, and he has the full backing and trust of nearly every Geordie fan there is. They know deep down that their side isn’t good enough, and they know that without him, they could quite easily be wallowing in the lower leagues. Because of that, you get the impression that they would happily sit and watch paint dry providing Rafa was the one holding the brush. The most important thing at the moment is for the Toon Army to be picking up results no matter how they come by them. They are doing that, and in truth, they are beginning to play some really decent football in the process. Townsend is well, well wide of the mark on this one.
