RAFAEL BENITEZ might have hoped for Newcastle United’s fortunes to have improved earlier than they have, but he can now understand why it took time for things to start rolling.

Benitez has seen the Magpies claim five points from their last three unbeaten matches to put themselves in within a fighting chance of staying in the Premier League.

But he will be frustrated by his opening four matches in charge when they collected just a single point from the 12 available to push them closer to the Championship.

Now that results have started to improve under the Spaniard’s watch, though, he can see why things were not running quite as smoothly in the first few weeks of the campaign.

Benitez explained: “We approach games to win. It doesn't matter where you are in the table. We know that we have to try to win. It was more difficult for me in the first few games because we didn't have time to train and prepare.

“We had so many injuries especially positions at the back: left full-back and the keeper. It was really important to give consistency and belief to the team. If you are attacking and scoring goals you can say, OK, it doesn't matter if we concede but we were not scoring goals.

“Normally, if you want to improve a team, it’s easier to start with the defence but at the back we did not have players, we did not have time. We had to play against teams at the bottom.”

Paul Dummett’s return to fitness has boosted the team defensively because it has meant a recognised left-footer playing down that side. Just as crucially goalkeeper Karl Darlow and centre-back Jamaal Lascelles have slotted in confidently after hardly playing under Steve McClaren.

Benitez said: "Cheik Tiote was really important coming back too but it was very important that we had a left full-back. Vurnon Anita was playing left full-back. We had lost the keeper so we had so many setbacks maybe even the players thought it is impossible.

“But to have Dummett back was very important and Anita is doing very well at right-back. Jamaal and Chancel Mbemba understand together so you have players coming back at the level you expect. That has helped to increase their confidence together."

Despite the improvements, Sunderland remain in pole position to stay up even if it remains tight. The Black Cats, who have a game in hand over Newcastle, have edged out of the bottom three and will stay up if don’t fare worse than their relegation rivals over the last few games.

Benitez said: "I hope it goes to the last game because that means we will have a chance at home against Tottenham of staying up.

“Tottenham are a great team but we will play at home so I feel … it will not be easy but …

“We cannot see the future so my message is the same as the first day concentrate on the next game and that it. Then, hopefully we can get out of it.”

Benitez is not expecting captain Fabricio Coloccini to return to action this weekend but will keep an eye on his fitness, along with Daryl Janmaat.

However, having named the same starting line-up at Liverpool for the first time in 102 Premier League games under his watch, the former Chelsea and Reds boss will not be looking to tinker too much with his side to face Crystal Palace.