Isaac Hayden has insisted that it's no surprise Rafa Benitez has brought Newcastle United back to winning ways in his six months in charge. Talking toChronicleLive,the 21-year-old has spoken of his manager's demand for respect on and off the pitch.
It would surprise few that Newcastle find themselves at the top of the Championship table. Benitez has used his experience to help mould a Newcastle team who areon an eight-match winning streak and are unbeaten in 10.
Hayden, a summer signing from Arsenal, has also mentioned the impact a manager like Benitez has had on the team.
Everyone is confident. Everyone knows and respects what the manager is saying," stated Hayden.
Everyone sits there and listens to the manager because we believe in him.
We always want to win every game - whether it is Barcelona, Manchester United or Barnsley - we want to win every game. It is just about getting the results over the season to get us where we want to be. We are focused on each individual game.�
The former Hull loanee,however, knows that the Championship isn't going to bean easy ride.I think that we are on a great run of results but that means nothing at the moment because we can't win the league at this stage; we can't win the league by winning the next game.
Following a 2-1 win over struggling Cardiff City, Newcastle are noweight points clear of the play-off places. Although confidence will be high amongst the Geordie faithful, Hayden believes that there were a few negatives with the game.
We should have got the third goal, we had the chances and didn't take them,� added the holding midfielder.
We had to take our chances and had we taken them then it would have been game over.At 2-0 it is always a dangerous scoreline - it gave Cardiff confidence to keep going and they got one back so made it a bit nervous.�
Hayden, anEngland Under 21 international,is now one of many Newcastle players to join up with their national sidesoverthe international breakand it will be interesting to see if the break in Championship action will have an impact on high-flying Newcastle.