Rafa Interview on tonight's tactics

[Jammy89]

We stuck to the gameplan - Benitez
Burnley 1-2 Newcastle

Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez, speaking to Sky Sports:"The main thing was the effort of the players. We had an idea of how to play, we knew crosses would come from everywhere, we defended well, our effort and attitude was great.

"We stuck to the gameplan. We suffered a bit at the end but we could have scored a third goal."

On playing three centre-backs: "We had (left-back) Paul Dummet injured so we had to change something. The idea was to play with three centre backs against two big strikers and it worked really well.

"Our defenders did well because the strikers are big and then they put another big lad up front."

On his side's goals coming from corners: "We knew we could play short because they were deep and we had time to get in the cross."

Well the game plan worked, always nice when the manager has a plan and sets the team up to play it. Rather than loaded up on players who'll sulk if not picked and then hope we have a moment of glory to win games.

[HughieG]

I'm very impressed with Rafa. He set the team up differently today and also changed some things during half time. And he was spot on.

[Curian]

Yep he knows the game inside out, regardless of what some say about his tactics. We really need to keep him.

[trinitoon]

Yeah... because Peeborrow & Di'ckrider know more about management than Rafa does.

Pffft.

[Kingstonbob1]

He knows feck all, shyte manager. Pfft

[TheBigSausage]

Burnleys tactics of passing 20 times in midfield then hoofing it 50yds every couple of mins to Chris wood ( who played like he had is boots on the wrong feet) was never gonna work against our defence which is well drilled in defending for long periods .
They had no creativity from midfield , defended shambolically and coupled with Woods lack of ability may well send them down .
Newcastle were not great by any stretch of the imagination.. But defence is looking organised , midfield is even a unit .. But upfront ., ffs.