Cape Town - Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez has revealed that he is targeting 20 points from the first half of the Premier League campaign.
The Magpies suffered a heavy defeat at the hands of Watford on Saturday, as the Hornets secured a 3-0 win, and consequently dropped down to 14th position in the standings.
However, Benitez believes his side can still reach their target. They have six games left before the halfway mark and are six points short of 20.
“It will be tough, but I still think we are in a good position,” said Benitez, as quoted by the Shields Gazette.
“If my target for the first half of the season is 20 points, and we have 14, we have to be sure we use these next six games to get those points and then try to improve in the second half of the season.
“We did really well at the beginning. Now we have to keep working with this group. They’re working really hard, but there is a lack of experience sometimes.
“I was telling them that we have to realise where we are and what we have to do for the future. We still have a few points to go to get 20 points in the first half of the season.”
Newcastle are back in action on Tuesday evening against West Bromwich Albion at Hawthorns.
Kick off is at 22:00.