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We've Done Our Homework, Says Rafa
Written by Newcastle Utd
Rafa Benitez says Newcastle United have done their homework on Fulham as they bid to get their season off to a winning start
By Tom Easterby - Newcastle United Club Reporter
Rafa Benitez says Newcastle United have done their homework on Fulham as they bid to get their season off to a winning start in the Sky Bet Championship opener in the capital on Friday night (7.45pm kick-off).
After an unbeaten pre-season, United head to Craven Cottage looking to get the campaign off to the best possible start with a win over Slavisa Jokanovic's side.
But the Magpies boss has warned that opening-clash with the Cottagers will be far from a walk in the park - and says his team will treat Jokanovic's men with the respect they warrant.
"We have a lot of respect for Fulham. We have seen some of their games, they beat Crystal Palace 3-1 (in pre-season), so they are doing well. They have a good manager, they know what to do, and it will be tough," said Benitez.
"I don't see an easy game, for sure, and I think we have to be sure that we approach every game with a lot of respect for the teams, because it will be more difficult than people are expecting now.
"We have done our homework, and we know it will be very difficult to beat them."
Benitez this week named defender Jamaal Lascelles as United's captain for the 2016/17 season, while it was also announced that new arrival Dwight Gayle will inherit the sought-after number nine shirt vacated by Papiss Cisse earlier in the summer.
But despite all the positivity surrounding his side at the moment, Benitez believes that Fulham - who finished 20th in the second tier last season - will have no fear when they line up in front of their own fans on Friday night.
"Fulham will approach this game with confidence, because they are doing well. They don't concede too many goals, they play good football," he said.
"They like to play from the back, but they can play with a big man up front, so they have players between the lines with ability.
"I don't think that they will be scared - they will have a gameplan, and they will follow the instructions of their manager. It will be very tough."