After three straight wins over West Ham, Swansea and Stoke, which have carried Newcastle United to fourth in the Premier League following May’s promotion, Rafa Benitez is able to speak of momentum at the club.
He has also stressed to his players the dangers of the praise coming their way.
With two winning headers in the last two games, Jamaal Lascelles epitomises both aspects and Benitez pulled his captain aside this week to remind him of this.
‘I did it with him, but I’ve done this with some other players,’ Benitez said.