Rafa Benitez had no hesitation of playing Dwight Gayle in Newcastle United's 2-0 win against Leeds United ... despite media attention about his bust-up in Liverpool on a night out.
The Magpies striker scored twice against Leeds to extend their lead to five points at the top of the Championship table. Gayle's double also took his tally to 13 goals this season.
Benitez advised Gayle to let his feet do the talking after Gayle damaged his teeth during an altercation on a night out in Liverpool.
"Obviously I know what's going on, it was almost nothing. I told him if you want to be sure that nobody talks too much about that score goals."
Newcastle's ninth consecutive win has seen them match their record from 1994 but Benitez refused to get carried with his side accomplishments.
"I prefer to fight against the complacency rather than the anxiety. We have players competing for their positions and if they understand that, the team every week will be stronger."
The Toon's Greatest 100 Players. . .Ever! - £10.99
Available from Amazon and Kindle: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Toons-Greatest-100-Players-Ever/dp/132629685X
Or contact: Kevnumad@fsmail.net for a signed copy.
This book is a collection of the 100 Greatest Newcastle United players of all time, as voted for by NewcastleUtd-Mad.co.uk readers and a panel of journalists who contribute to the website.
The players are in an order of five-per-chapter, counting down from 100 to Newcastle United's greatest ever player (as viewed by the author), but the whole point of the book is for You (the reader) to decide who goes where.
The list is not, by any means, definitive. As with all books of this nature, whether it be "Greatest Albums"; "Best Movies Of All Time"; or "Top 100 Pin-Ups Of The Year" . . . no two people have exactly the same opinion.
There will be controversy over who is on the list, and chances are, more controversy over who is not.
Here are the best of the best. I have painted the picture with each player's profile. Where they end up in the league of Nufc's Greatest is up to you.
Because You have the final word.