Rafael Benitez: Newcastle surviving in the Premier League would be 'miracle'
Last updated on .From the section Newcastle
It would be a "miracle" if Newcastle were to avoid relegation from the Premier League, says Rafael Benitez.
The Magpies failed to win any of their opening 10 games of this campaign, but are currently 15th in the table, five points above the relegation zone.
They impressed on their return to the top-flight from the Championship last season, finishing in 10th place.
"We have to be realistic and understand we will be in the bottom half for the season," said Magpies boss Benitez.
"For me, it is almost clear and if we can be better than three teams, it will be another miracle.
"It was a miracle last year. People were thinking, 'Oh, you finished 10th...', but with a couple fewer wins, we could have been in the bottom five, so it was a miracle.
"If we do the same this year with teams spending even more money than last year, it will be a miracle."
At the beginning of December, Newcastle owner Mike Ashley said he was "hopeful" of selling the club "before the January transfer window".
As well as Tottenham and Watford, Newcastle were only one of three Premier League clubs to receive more transfer fees than they spent in the summer window.
Benitez added: "I know what is coming now and I know where we are. You can see the team - the team is trying a lot of things, but still it's not enough sometimes to get the points, and it will be like that.
"I'm trying to tell everyone, realise where we are, realise what we have to do and if we do well, fine, we can finish 10th or whatever.
"But if we think we have to beat these teams which have spent £100m, every one of them, during the summer, if we think we can beat them easily every game, no chance. We are wrong, 100%."
Benitez comes up against his former side and unbeaten Premier League leaders Liverpool on Wednesday, 26 December (kick-off 15:00 GMT).
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Expectations must be higher for a club of Newcastles size
2 minutes ago
What is Rafa still doing there?
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Keeping the club above water. The clubs that stay up are the ones that defend. I don't fancy another stint in the championship and Rafa is the only thing keeping us from that awful fate
That said, they are noticeably stronger than Huddersfield and Fulham. Survival wouldn't be a miracle per se. Top 10 however would be a huge achievement with what they've got.
Except that's not what the article says at all. He said that finishing in the top half of the table like they did last season would be a miracle, which is something very different to avoiding relegation.
This is either very sloppy journalism, or a deliberate attempt to fabricate controversy.
The gap between say 8th & 17th in the EPL is rarely wide - a mere 6pts a couple of seasons ago. Small margins indeed.
As previous posts have recognized you'd still expect safety for Newcastle given the teams around them.
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to all.
Pardon me, I forgot that unless a club can throw endless obscene amounts of money about in the pursuit of superstars or has already done so those two won't go near it.
What Rafa is having to do at Newcastle is the definition of football management.
He has clearly just reached the end of his tether. He like the fans is sick of being lied to by good old MA. Promise of funds, fake takeovers, only spend what you earn but no money from advertisement from SD. No sign of Tv money yet can buy the HoF. Sell Mitrovic etc but no money spent on a replacement. I feel for him - deserves more!