Rafa Benitez confident of survival '“ but admits Newcastle job is tougher than he thought

Benitez took over as manager of the Magpies a fortnight ago, and has so far failed to win either of his first two games in charge.

Newcastle, realistically, face a battle with Sunderland and Norwich to stay up, with the Magpies currently bottom of the three-team mini league.

Norwich’s 1-0 win over West Brom last weekend was a setback for Benitez and his players, but he says they must concentrate on their own games and not what is happening elsewhere.

Asked if the job was a bigger challenge than he first thought, Benitez said: “Maybe – because you cannot control other things, it is more difficult.

“Everyone was expecting maybe Norwich not to get anything but they won against West Brom so we have just have to keep doing well or better, because if not it will be very difficult.

“But I have confidence.

“My message is very clear and was after the game, and now we still have eight games to play and we have to fight for each game, three points, and don’t see the other things.

“If we do well it will be easier, but if we cannot do well next week we have to carry on every day.”