Rafael Benitez has given Newcastle hope - Alan Shearer
Last updated on .From the section Newcastle
Rafael Benitez has given Newcastle a Premier League lifeline but should have been appointed sooner, says former Magpies striker Alan Shearer.
Benitez, who took over in March, saw his side draw 1-1 with Manchester City to move two points from safety.
"There is a now a little bit of hope where there wasn't a few weeks ago," Shearer told BBC Radio 5 live.
"They should have got him in earlier. If they'd done that, I don't think we'd be in this position."
- Listen: Shearer 'would not take Newcastle job'
- Listen: Magpies 'have not learned from 2009 relegation'
- Podcast: 'Why haven't Newcastle fought like this all season?'
Newcastle earned a point at home to City after Vurnon Anita's first goal in more than two years cancelled out a controversial opener from Sergio Aguero, who headed in from an offside position.
The hosts almost won the game when Georginio Wijnaldum was denied by Joe Hart's late save.
The draw with City followed Saturday's victory over Swansea - Benitez's first win since succeeding Steve McClaren on 11 March.
His team are now two points behind fourth-bottom Norwich and one behind rivals Sunderland, who have a game in hand.
'Benitez leaves players out for a reason'
Shearer, who scored a record 206 goals for Newcastle over 10 seasons, said Benitez had changed the mood around St James' Park.
"Certainly on Tuesday's evidence and on Saturday's, there's now a togetherness," said Shearer. "The fans appreciate now that the players are giving everything."
Shearer said Newcastle had "given themselves an opportunity" and praised Benitez for his team selections.
"He's changed it and he deserves credit for that," said Shearer.
"It's taken him a while to understand his players, but he's left big players out. Aleksandar Mitrovic is out, Jonjo Shelvey is out. They're out for a reason. They've not given enough to the team.
'We can beat anyone'
Benitez, who takes his side to former team Liverpool on Saturday before the Reds' Europa League semi-final at Villarreal the following Thursday, said: "We have to try to win every game, it doesn't matter where.
"My connection with Liverpool is obvious, it's quite good, but hopefully they will do really well in the Europa League and we can get three points in the Premier League.
"At the moment, it's true that we are doing well, so hopefully the game away against a very good team like Liverpool, we can see the same things. But you never know.
"What we have is belief," the Spaniard added. "We believe now that we can fight, we can beat anyone and in the next games, we have to show that."
Comments
Join the conversation
He deserves all the encouragement he can get, even shearer wouldn't take the job.
Like so many other football managers, how has he gotten away with it for so long?
"As soon as they do he'll be on a plane back to the sun ??
Charlatan....."
__________
Seems like you dont understand the meaning of "charlatan". CL winner 2005 and runner up 2007 clearly show he does have talent. Throw in some other trophies and remember how he took Liverpool to verge of 2009 title before referees all capitulated in favour of fergie?
They hounded out a good manager. Careful what you wish for, I hope they go down.
Mike Ashley is the problem at Newcastle and until he goes I don't think they will get much better, it's a shame as they are a huge club...
Plus, ive always rooted for him after his appalling treatment by the Chelsea fans
I didn't even know she'd left Norwich
LETSSSBEEEEAAVVVVINYOUU!!!
Certainly the work rate is better, the effort put in
If you try and keep trying, sometimes things come together
Good luck to them, I hope they manage to stay up
Its a little ironic to see a Liverpool fan (of which I'm also one) claiming that Newcastle deserve to go down because "their fans have delusions of grandeur when they have won nothing for years".
In any case, no team deserves to go down because of their fans. All fans are as good and as bad as each other, as you've aptly demonstrated.
"remember how he took Liverpool to verge of 2009 title before referees all capitulated in favour of fergie?"
-------
Utter rubbish. You lot seem to be "on the verge" of every title for the last 26 years. Sitting "on the verge" for more than a quarter of a century must really play havoc on your bumcheeks. No wonder they want standing sections back at the kop.
Benitez and Pardew are managers. You can have your own opinions about how good they are but they know what they are doing.
McClaren and Carver are coaches and were unable to get any kind of performance from a squad with the talent to be around mid-table.