Alan Shearer has spoken out about our start to the new Premier League season, admitting he is ‘quietly pleased’ with what he's seen, feeling we may struggle to score goals but our organisation should see us stay away from the relegation places.
Seven games in and we lie in 9th place. A decent effort after two defeats in our opening two games, with three consecutive wins against West Ham, Swansea and Stoke and a hard fought point against Liverpool putting us on 10 points ahead of our trip to Southampton on Sunday.
Speaking to Coral, here's what big Al had to say about our start to the season - where he admitted to being pleased with our start and impressed by our organisation in the 1-1 draw with Liverpool last time out:
“I’m quietly pleased (with Newcastle’s start to the season). They did have a tough start but they have pulled together and the Newcastle team now is what Rafa wants…needs - tough to beat and well organised.
“You can see they work very hard on the training ground and a lot of the work is shape. You can see Rafa constantly on the touchline, trying to get the players together and stay compact, stay tight.
“I watched them against Liverpool and particularly second-half, they were impressive. They could have won it with last kick of the game, nearly scored from a corner.
“Thoroughly deserved a point and I think they will have enough to stay up, purely because of how Rafa sets them up and their organisation.
Alan did then admit that goals could be an issue, but believes the fans are pleased with that they're seeing, backing Benitez to lead us to safety this season:
“They might not score that many goals but I think they will get enough points to stay away from relegation.
“I think the fans are pretty pleased. They love Rafa, they know what he is and who he is, and what he can do for Newcastle.
“They understand that he wanted more in the summer and they backed him in that.
“They are pleased with what they are seeing, long may that continue.”
Positive and fair comments from Alan, which echo what most Newcastle fans would probably tell you about our start to the season after seven games.
Here's hoping we can continue to stay tough to beat and organised in Sunday's trip to Southampton. A game that we should be looking to get something out of after their struggling start to the season at St. Mary's.
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