Rafa Benitez’s men are not expected to suffer the same two season struggles as Fulham since they dropped out of the Premier League.
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Benitez, who has never managed at this level before, said his players became anxious following the goal and could not plot a route back into the game.
“We know he is young player, but he has the right mentality and he has the right players around to help him do the right thing for the team”.
The Championship can be a cutthroat environment at the best of times, which is why it is a good sign that Benitez has purchased players who know what it takes to thrive at this level. “And I knew we had to change something to create a positive atmosphere”, Benitez said Thursday. The fans, the city, the club – I have a very good relationship with Liverpool obviously.
“I don’t think they’ll be more important than at this game on Friday, really, because I think Newcastle will bring massive support with them and it’ll be eventful”.
Newcastle’s summer business has also pointed to the fact that the club are keen to recruit a core of British players which could take them forward in the near future.
United have been widely tipped to win the division and get promoted back to the Premier League at the first attempt, but the clash with Fulham marks just the first of 46 league games in what is renowned as a long and arduous campaign. Newcastle United arrive in West London having won just once on opening day in their last eight seasons. We’ve had some discussions about the number 9 and I know already who it will be. I would say the Geordie accent and the scouse accent are similar in terms of I don’t understand anything!
Newcastle have no fresh injury problems for the trip to the Cottage but neither of the new recruits, Ciaran Clark nor Mohamed Diame, will be involved in the first match of the season.
“It’s great for us, the flawless start”, he said.
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And yet, regardless of where Newcastle will be playing over the course of the coming months, it is hard to remember there has been as much optimism flying around Tyneside since the days of Champions League football being played in the North-East.
