In a recent Q&A session with Chronicle Live Guillem Balague said that he thinks Newcastle United are a much better team under Rafa Benitez and if the Spaniard manages to keep the Magpies up, exciting times could be on the horizon for the club.

When asked if Benitez had perhaps underestimated the size of the job facing him at St. James’ Park Balague replied: “It seems to me that when you enter that kind of job, obviously you will ask around and find things out. But until you see it and experience it for yourself, you don’t realise how deep-rooted the problems are.”

The Spanish football expert does think Benitez has handled it well and there has been improvements in performance: “Against Man City though I think you saw that this is a team that all of a sudden has gathered some sort of momentum and belief. To change the dynamic is the hardest thing, and he seems to have done it.”

There has been an upturn in recent games for Newcastle, with a 3-0 victory against Swansea followed up with a 1-1 draw with Manchester City, and Balague thinks, if this form continues, and the team stay up, the future could be bright. When asked if Benitez could be a success, Balague was confident he could be: “I really hope Benitez does reach the target of staying up because the possibility of Newcastle and him staying together for a while in the Premier League is fascinating, absolutely fascinating. I think take away the top two or three teams, then under Benitez Newcastle could be the fourth or fifth best team in the Premier League if he is given the time and control to do what he wants and needs to do.”

The primary target of course though, is that Newcastle stay up.

Benitez takes his side to Anfield on Saturday before key games against Crystal Palace, Aston Villa and Tottenham to round off the season.

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