Newcastle captain Jamaal Lascelles praises Rafa Benitez
Sunday 15 April 2018 11:44, UK
Newcastle captain Jamaal Lascelles believes his boss Rafa Benitez is "a special manager" as he manages to keep his cool when his side are losing at home.
Since Benitez's arrival at St James' Park, he managed to get the club promoted back into the Premier League after one season in the Championship.
Newcastle are still not mathematically safe but have won their last three matches and can pass the 40-point mark on Sunday with victory against Arsenal, live on Sky Sports.
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Speaking to The Mirror Lascelles said: "Rafa Benitez is always calm when we are losing at St James' Park and it' a bit hectic.
"You might see him sweating on the sideline but inside I can guarantee he will be the calmest man in the stadium.
"He's been there in these tense situation so many times before. He's managed in big European finals in the Champion League and Europa League, so he knows what he's doing. He is definitely a special manager."
Newcastle have kept three clean sheets in their last six games which included their 1-0 win against Manchester United.
Benitez signed Chelsea winger Kenedy and goalkeeper Martin Dubravka from Sparta Prague on loan in the January transfer window.
The 22-year-old has scored two goals in eight appearances and Lascelles credited his boss for the move.
"The minute Kenedy came in he started creating things, getting assists and scoring goal too and down the other end our keeper Martin Dubravka has been keeping clean sheets," he added.
"Martin's first game was against Manchester United and without him we would probably have lot because he made some great saves that day.
"So I think the manager has definitely done some great business there. I think we just need to keep pushing and not take our foot off the gas.
"We need to make sure we are safe but also to aim for a higher number of points than just the safe option. We need to make sure we can finish as high as we can even if we are sage with two games to go.
"That's when we have to be hungry to win those final games and treat them with the same importance as if we were in danger."
