Football
ESPN staff 6y

Rafa Benitez: Newcastle have 'suffered' due to lack of transfer spending

Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez said his team had "suffered" this season after failing to strengthen as much as he had hoped to in the summer.

Earlier this month, Benitez said he hoped Newcastle owner Mike Ashley would be "clever enough'' to realise he would have to spend in January to avoid a scrap for Premier League survival.

The manager has held talks with sportswear tycoon Ashley, who did not achieve his hope of selling the club by Christmas.

And speaking to Cadena Ser radio after Wednesday's 1-0 home defeat to leaders Manchester City -- a 10th loss in 12 Premier League games -- he said: "We've suffered. We expected more investment at the beginning in order to have a more competitive team.

"We started well but then had a poor run of results which made us suffer.

"It's more difficult because we have the youngest team in the competition. We are in a learning curve -- to learn when losing, it's all the more complicated.

"We need to quickly recover and take advantage of the work that is done by the players, who really give their all in every game."

Benitez again stressed that what happened now would be down to Ashley but said he was hopeful that additions could be made.

He added: "I hope we get good players to strengthen the team but it will depend on the owner.

"I trust that he understands that the team needs it and it will be done."

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