RAFAEL BENITEZ has spent this week visiting some notable North-East landmarks – now the Newcastle United boss is urging his players to create their own piece of footballing history.

On Tuesday, Benitez took three members of his coaching team on a whistle-stop tour of the region that featured visits to the Castle Keep in Newcastle, the Angel of the North in Gateshead and the University, Cathedral and Castle in Durham.

The Spaniard wanted to get an insight into the cultural heritage of the city and region he now calls home, but history is always evolving, and if his Newcastle side beat Blackburn Rovers this afternoon, they will rewrite the record books.

No Newcastle team has ever won ten successive matches in all competitions, so after last weekend’s 2-0 win at Leeds United made it nine victories in a row, Benitez’s side stand on the brink of a unique achievement.

Kevin Keegan’s Magpies team won nine in a row in a period spanning the end of the 1993-94 season and the start of the following campaign, but if Benitez’s side win this afternoon, they will have gone one better.

So while the Spaniard is generally reluctant to look beyond the importance of ‘another three points’, even he has been forced to acknowledge the potential magnitude of today’s game.

“Any victory for me, any three points, I am really proud of that,” said Benitez, who will have to juggle his resources carefully over the next week with Newcastle due to play three matches in the space of six days. “But if you break a record, it’s even better.

“Believe me, I’m not even thinking about that. I would be really pleased, but I am not thinking about it. In my experience, if you think too much about that then you can come unstuck.

“So you have to concentrate on this game. It is a difficult game for us, although obviously we have been doing well. It is a more difficult game for us because everyone is expecting that we will win so they have nothing to lose.

“We have to make sure that that is not the case and we don’t approach the game with over-confidence.”

This week’s visits were in keeping with Benitez’s general outlook since moving to Newcastle in the spring. The former Liverpool and Chelsea boss has been determined to rebuild the fractured relationship between his club and its fan-base, and his actions have helped transform the mood that had been evident throughout much of Mike Ashley’s controversial reign as owner.

By engaging the local community, supporting a series of fans’ initiatives and attempting to be as visible as possible in an ambassadorial role, Benitez has re-energised a support that had grown weary and apathetic.

Clearly, a series of positive results on the pitch has also helped, but by embracing both the club and the city, Benitez has rapidly earned the affection of Newcastle’s supporters, a feeling that is mutual.

“I think it’s important to understand why the people are so proud of the city and the area,” said the Magpies manager. “If you go there and see these things, then you understand why.

“If you go to a Cathedral, or they tell you it takes three or four hundred years to build a castle, it’s amazing, particularly with the technology they had before. You see the roles and everything. It is so difficult for us to understand that, but we have to be proud of it.

“I already felt a strong connection (with Newcastle), but it is even stronger now and I am really pleased here. If you go and you see these things, then you can see the passion of the fans.

“I’m really pleased because you can see the passion of the people and you feel also part of this connection with them - the club, the team, with everything. I’m really happy with these things. I have always had a big, big desire to do well here, but obviously when you feel this passion from fans, it gives you even more.”

The contrast with some of Benitez’s predecessors is stark. Neither Alan Pardew nor Steve McClaren were able to cultivate anything like as strong a bond with the Newcastle support, and the current feel-good factor will only be enhanced if the Magpies secure a record-breaking tenth win in a row this afternoon.

They will have to manage without Jack Colback as the midfielder will not be risked after damaging his eye in training this week. He should, however, be available to face Hull City in the EFL Cup quarter-finals on Tuesday.

Grant Hanley is also ruled out through injury, but Jonjo Shelvey will play as the Football Association are still to set a date for his misconduct hearing.