LASCELLES DEFENDS MANAGER BENITEZ

Newcastle defender Jamaal Lascelles has jumped to defend his manager Rafael Benitez following the Toon's poor start to the season.

Source: The Chronicle Live

Benitez's team are yet to win a game this season, with their latest setback at the hands of Brighton on Saturday.

Newcastle captain Lascelles has defended his manager, though, despite the chorus of boos that rang around St. James' Park following a substitution on Saturday afternoon.

"I don't think anyone in the stadium can question the manager about anything, whether it's to do with substitutions, tactics or whatever - they cannot question the manager, because he knows football better than anyone in this whole stadium," Lascelles said to the Chronicle Live following Saturday's loss.

Plenty of the blame has surrounded on owner Mike Ashley, following a disappointing transfer window in the summer; failing to invest sufficiently.

Reports are claiming that Ashley will be looking to get rid of his Spanish manager, with Newcastle sitting bottom of the league, and look to replace him with former Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers.