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Benitez: Rondon needs more support

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Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez has suggested that his side must do more to support striker Salomon Rondon, but has admitted that it isn’t always a realistic possibility. 

The Venezuelan has been a standout performer for the Magpies this season, hitting 10 goals in all competitions, but his boss believes that he can do even better, given the right opportunities.

Speaking to the Chronicle, he said: “We just have to make sure we create more chances for him [Rondon] to do well.

“It is also the type of chances you create. For a striker, it’s not just about making a cross or a pass and it’s easy, we have to make sure we do something more for offensive players to get better chances.

“For us, it is always the same – the short blanket. We have to defend well first, then do both things at the same time [defend and attack]. Some games we can do it but not every game.”

OPINION

Interesting way of putting things from Benitez here, but he’s pretty spot on. Rondon has been brilliant so far this campaign, and has arguably been one of the main reasons why the Toon Army have been able to drag themselves out of imminent danger, but the fact of the matter is that he is still working on scraps for a decent proportion of his game time. Admittedly, that isn’t necessarily anybody’s fault. Newcastle are a side built on conservatism and a measure of understandable pragmatism. Given the choice between drawing 0-0 and losing 3-2, Benitez will take the draw every single time, but that can mean that the attacking aspect of the Magpies’ game is neglected at times. Things have gotten better in recent weeks. The signing of Miguel Almiron and the return to form of Ayoze Perez have been huge contributing factors, but Rondon could still use a little more help from time to time. If they can provide that for him, lord only knows how well he could do.

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