Rafa Benitez has Newcastle United on one of their best winning runs in years - but he wants his players to continue to make his job difficult.
That’s the message coming out of the Toon camp ahead of this weekend’s home clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers at St James’ Park.
This week Benitez told fans he wants to see at least two players fighting for each position at Newcastle.
He said: “We have to be keep working hard. And will say it again, I am pleased with them because the way they train and work everyday puts me in a difficult position to decide the team.”
And Benitez feels his options up front underlines just how fierce the battle for first-team places is becoming.
The Spaniard said: “Mitrovic did well but so did Ayoze around him and the wingers and defenders.
“The goalkeeper did well too and everybody who came off the bench.
“Everybody is pushing and to have this problem of Mitrovic, Ayoze, Gayle or Murphy is a good problem every game.
“It is not easy to keep everybody happy.
“Hopefully, we continue winning and if we have to change players they will understand it is for the good for the team.”
Following Newcastle’s win against Derby County, it was the rejuvenated figure of Yoan Gouffran who was enjoying the positive reviews from pundits.
After the 6-0 hammering of Queens Park Rangers, Jonjo Shelvey was the man being praised after a man-of-the-match performance and two goals.
Benitez said: “He worked very hard over the summer to be ready.
“He didn’t start in the team and maybe he thought it would be tough for him this season, but it’s the same message for everyone.”
Newcastle’s big win over QPR helped to erase bad memories of last season for United’s strong travelling fanbase.
Benitez was asked where the win ranked in his glittering career.
He said: “We have had some good games, but it depends on the team.
“If you are coaching Real Madrid you will get games where you win 6-0, in the Champions League we won 8-0.
“We have some games where the scores have been very strong.
“But we are a new team and we have to bring in new players.
“You have to keep working with them and understanding them.
“To play at the level we did at QPR was quite positive.
“They were quite strong and started the game with intensity. It was very warm out there, though.
“When we scored the third goal, I think mentally that moment killed them more than physically.
“After that, we were passing the ball well.
“When you are doing that and keeping the ball it gets more and more difficult for the other team.”