Rafa Benitez: Confidence is growing at Newcastle after first win
Monday 28 August 2017 12:36, UK
Rafa Benitez insists confidence is growing at Newcastle after their first Premier League win of the season over West Ham.
Newcastle beat winless Hammers 3-0 on Saturday thanks to goals from Joselu, Ciaran Clark and Alexandar Mitrovic, following defeats by Tottenham, Huddersfield and Nottingham Forest so far this season.
Though Benitez said it is impossible to create the perfect performance, he was pleased to give the fans something to cheer about after a turbulent August at St James' Park.
Benitez told Sky Sports: "Perfect? You will never see something perfect! Great performance, I think the way everybody was working for the team at the end made the difference. When you have this effort from players, fans enjoy and they're even more behind the team.
"We were working hard also against Huddersfield, but you have to score, we scored today and the belief that we could win was growing, the fans were pushing and it was easier for the players to keep going. The second goal made the difference I think also.
Trending
- Transfer Centre LIVE! 'Saudi could offer Rashford way out of Man Utd'
- Lawson confirmed as Verstappen's Red Bull team-mate for 2025
- Papers: Gravenberch set to stay at Liverpool amid Real Madrid links
- Gabriel Jesus is back! Hat-trick for Arsenal striker sinks Palace
- Liverpool latest - Slot: Chiesa needs time to get back to his best
- Usyk vs Fury 2: Start time, ring walks, undercard and odds
- World Darts Championship schedule: Smith in action on Thursday
- Nunez and Elliott strike as Liverpool battle past Southampton
- Hits and misses: Jesus, Elliott and Tonali all shine in Carabao Cup
- Italian job! Tonali brace inspires Newcastle past Brentford
"When you are working hard, doing well, and score the goal, the confidence is growing.
"The team was playing well but was also well organised in defence. Everyone was working hard for the team, not just individuals playing for themselves but for the whole team.
"It's always good to win, but especially when you have time to enjoy [during the international break]."
Benitez has been vocal this summer about the lack of spending at Newcastle, and with under a week until transfer deadline day, he insists the club must still work hard behind the scenes to bring bodies in.
Asked about the possibility of signing more players between now and Thursday's deadline, Benitez said: "Yeah, we have to try always behind the scenes to do our job, but we will enjoy it a little bit and keep on working.
"I think if we work like today, we can win more games, but obviously every manager wants there to be more quality. Today we see a lot of positives."
Live Nissan Super Sunday
If you are using skysports.com you can comment below to get involved in the debate, but please adhere to our House Rules. If you wish to report any comment, simply click on the down arrow next to the offending comment and click 'Report'.
