da premier bet： Sunday’s game at St James’ Park was supposed to be a toxic affair with fans showing their outright anger at the Toon’s disappointing relegation. But, as the goals started to go in, an already relegated Newcastle United side showed something we have seen cropping up a few times during Rafa Benitez’s short tenure: hope.

da betano casino： They looked like a side that wanted to play for one another and, importantly, their manager. Was that clear distinction ever on show when Steve McClaren was in the hot-seat? Absolutely not, but under Benitez they look like a more harmonised unit, despite their relegation back to the Championship.

The battle for the Magpies now is to keep hold of the Spaniard that has given the supporters hope. On Sunday, gone were the chants calling for Mike Ashley’s head and instead they were replaced with calls for the former Liverpool boss to stay in the North East. Alan Pardew was given stick from day one and McClaren was far from popular, so in Rafa they have a man the fans want to stay and prosper at their great club.

Benitez seemingly failed the mission he was set – save Newcastle – but you wouldn’t have guessed it as he walked down the touchline awaiting the whistle on Sunday. He was given a hero’s welcome from the supporters, who could see the improvement that has been made since he took over. It wasn’t enough in the short haul, but Rafa’s job was always going to be a challenging one considering the time he had to stamp his own ideas on a misfiring squad.

Benitez found the glue that was needed to make his Newcastle team more cohesive – an outfit that wanted to play for one another. It was a team that under his guidance took points from two of the top four and a Liverpool side battling for the European places. Under McClaren, the Toon were timid and played with a lack of creativity, but Benitez’s leadership has seemingly given the players the confidence and fight needed to survive – it was just a little too late.

But more than anything, Newcastle’s manager gives hope that the game can be managed and controlled by him and his coaches. The Ashley show, commandeered by Lee Charnley and Keith Bishop, has been going on since Freddy Shepherd sold the club back in 2007, and it’s been non-stop meddling ever since.

Benitez is used to the best and he will be doing everything to push his own ideals through the owners at Newcastle. It’s something past managers have failed to do and he will not be re-subscribing to the struggle and frustration that has marred the club for the past few seasons. It will a new philosophy, a new way of thinking and proper man-management at dressing room level that will convince Rafa to stay.

It’s in your hands, Mike Ashley.

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