Rafa Concentrating On Canaries

By Dominic Scurr

Rafa Benitez is hoping to pick up his first win as Newcastle United manager away to Norwich City on Saturday (3pm kick-off).

The Magpies are battling for survival in the Barclays Premier League and a win against the Canaries will see them draw level on points with their relegation rivals with a game in hand.

And Benitez is confident that United can pick up their first away points of 2016.

"We know we can do it," he said.

"The reaction of the team after Sunderland was really positive and we have the right mentality to go to Norwich and win.

"We're giving the players confidence and trying to organise them so that they know what to do in these games.

"During the international break you lose a few players so you cannot afford to change too many things, you just have to be clear and continue with the same ideas.

"In terms of commitment, the players have been fantastic and we have to make sure we approach the game with confidence so that we are prepared to win."

Earlier in the season the Magpies ran out 6-2 winners over Norwich at St. James' Park but Benitez is anticipating a much tougher game at Carrow Road.

"(Norwich) are an intense team," he continued.

"We have to concentrate and make sure we don't make any mistakes because this game is so important for both teams.

"Norwich are organised and they have a lot of players who know their jobs and their work rate is good. We will have to work hard from the first minute to the last.

"I have had (relegation-fight) experiences before in Spain with Extemadura so I know what it is like. We have to give everything in every game and I will not give up.

"People are saying this game is a must win - we go there to win but we cannot lose focus on the remaining seven games because they are just as important.

"We cannot lose confidence, we have to concentrate on one game at a time and keep going right until the end."