Rafa Revels In St. James' Park Backing

By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Managing Editor

Rafa Benitez believes a full house at St. James' Park can inspire Newcastle United to victory on Saturday against Huddersfield Town (3pm kick-off).

Despite dropping down to the Sky Bet Championship, the Magpies' first home game of the 2016/17 campaign is looking likely to be a sell-out, with the added bonus of a stunning 500-flag pre-match display thanks to fans' initiative Gallowgate Flags.

Benitez revealed that level of support was key to his impressive summer recruitment, and hopes the performances of his squad can make United's famous stadium a fortress once again.

"To see 52,000 fans shows how important the Club is for them, and we want to be sure that we give them as much as we can," explained the boss.

"Sometimes you can win, sometimes you draw and sometimes you lose, but the main thing to be sure is that the players and everyone give everything to make sure we are where we want to be at the end of the season.

"When I was talking with some of the players to bring them here, they were telling me about the stadium, the fans and playing in front of so many people. That is a situation that we want to be an advantage for us.

"This initiative of the fans has to be crucial. They are key for us because we are together until the end.

"Even if we make mistakes, if they support the team it is easier for us to play better, it is easier for the players to have more confidence and quality to win more games.

"It is for the benefit of everyone that we stick together from the first day to the last day. We have to give everything, they (the fans) will give us everything, and that is good for the future."

Newcastle face a Huddersfield side who won their first league game, against Brentford, but suffered a 2-1 midweek defeat at the hands of Shrewsbury Town in the EFL Cup.

Benitez is expecting the Terriers - like every club who come to Tyneside this term - to raise their game for the Sky Bet Championship favourites, and knows his team will have to be at their best.

"Because of the fans, because of the stature of our Club, we know that every game will be more difficult," he continued.

"But if you want to go up, you have to adapt to these situations.

"We know that they (Huddersfield) will give everything, so we have to do the same and hope that we are better than them.

"We know that we have to improve (from Fulham) and the main thing is make sure that every time we are improving a little bit and that we are much better.

"Then, we can approach games with the confidence that we can win."