A FRUSTRATED Rafael Benitez bemoaned Newcastle United’s opening night teething problems after suffering defeat to Fulham, but he is convinced hard work rather than more signings will be the solution.

The promotion favourites suffered disappointment in the curtain-raiser for the new season at Craven Cottage when Matt Smith’s header at the end of the first-half proved enough to claim the points.

It meant Benitez’ first match in charge in the Championship finished on a losing note, despite a summer when he has reshaped the Magpies squad and spent more than £45m on new players.

But Newcastle lacked a presence in the final third at Fulham and were left defeated because of poor defending when Jamaal Lascelles lost Smith in the penalty area after Tom Cairney sent over a corner.

Benitez said: “We knew and we said before that it would be like this. When the players are on the pitch they have to realise this could happen.

“We conceded that goal and we have worked on this during the week. We have to react and we have to get better.

“We didn’t play at the level we were expecting. We were not keeping the ball in attack. We didn’t win the second balls. We have to improve and this game is a wake-up call for everyone.

“You could see when we were losing 1-0 we had anxiety, we had to manage the ball much better and play with the ideas we wanted to do.

"We didn’t concentrate like we have to especially when you are losing you need to be calm and do things much better.

“I know the competition, the team, the expectations were there that we would come and win but we said they were a good team and we had to be ready – we weren’t.”

Newcastle are still looking for more players to add to the squad before the end of the transfer window and they could still lose a couple.

But rather than focus on what further additions he could make, Benitez believes the team he sent out at Fulham should have been capable of doing the job.

Benitez said: “More than signings we have to keep working, we need something a little bit more and especially in terms of working we have to realise we will be working more; we have to.

“Some of the players knew what it would be like, they have played at this level. We need to manage the situation better.

“When you are bringing players in, and players are leaving, it is always difficult but we have to manage the situation better.”

Newcastle could have had a couple of penalties on the night. Matt Ritchie saw a cross stopped by the arm of Ryan Tunnicliffe in the first half and the winger’s shot was blocked by the arms of Tomas Kalas after the restart.

Benitez said: “The first one was clear, we have talked about that. It was clear. But it was not given and we had to carry on. I will not make an excuse.

“The only positive is that it is the beginning of the season and we have to make sure we are ready for the next game.

"We need to improve a lot of things. Everybody has realised it can’t be like this for the rest of the season.

“We did not keep the ball properly, this is clear. We didn’t win the second balls in the middle and that is what we have to address.”

Moussa Sissoko was not at Craven Cottage and he has been linked with a move to Paris St Germain once more. Real Madrid and Juventus are also interested, but not at the £35m asking price.

Benitez, who also left out Cheik Tiote and Yoan Gouffran, insists Sissoko could still have a part to play and his absence was not due to him leaving soon.

He said: “We will keep working on signings. Moussa was not match fit because he only came back on Monday. We don’t have to sell him.

"Sissoko will be better next weekend, he will train tomorrow and during the week. We will see how he is.”

Fulham boss Slavisa Jokanovic was delighted to beat Newcastle.

He said: “It’s great for us that we have won this because they played like a great football team.

“We were playing against a serious football team and this should give us confidence for the rest of the season. My team worked well in pre-season and they showed exactly what they have to do.

“Newcastle are a big club with a big manager and they have discovered that the Championship is tough. All of them will have to be ready, like us.”