RAFA BENITEZ’S calmness and his confidence Newcastle United would eventually turn things around was the driving force behind a three-match winning streak, claims stand-in skipper Ciaran Clark.

The Magpies are four points above the bottom three after successfully emerging from a dreadful start to the campaign, which saw them fail to win any of their opening 11 games in all competitions and losing eight of those.

It was a situation that even led to many starting to question some of Benitez’s tactical decisions, even if it remains owner Mike Ashley who fans blame for failing to back the Spaniard on the transfer front to the level he would have liked.

There were problems Newcastle encountered during the poor run to cause some concern, like when Matt Ritchie and Jamaal Lascelles clashed over the latter’s decision to doubt some of the tactics.

But both publicly and in the dressing room, Benitez has always shown the same expressions and been a calming figure. Such an approach has had the desired effect to lift Newcastle clear of the Premier League’s bottom three.

Clark said: "The manager has always had the belief in us. We go back to the training ground after every game, we work on what we're going to do, and he's always right behind us.

"It's starting to turn around - we're starting to get our luck in games, whereas maybe we didn't earlier in the season - and he said it would.

"It's nice to be getting points now, and it shows how tight the league is. Three wins and suddenly we're 13th and out of the relegation zone.

"We're definitely looking forward now, we're concentrating on West Ham and hoping we can pick up even more points."

The Hammers are now level on points with Newcastle and sit a place below, so this Saturday’s visit to St James’ Park represents another key fixture in the battle in the lower half of the table.

Clark said: "We're obviously desperate now to keep this going and the three wins have been brilliant, but we want to keep this going and pick up even more points.

"We're full of confidence, the performances are showing that. We have to keep this momentum going and hopefully get the win at the weekend because, if we do, then we'll put ourselves in a great position for a busy December ahead.”

Clark was recalled to the starting line-up at Burnley as part of a three at the back. Not only was he handed the captain’s armband he then went on to score the second to put Newcastle on track for victory.

"We'd worked on a few things during the international break in preparation for Burnley, including playing with three centre-backs, but we weren't exactly sure what the manager was going to go with until we got to the ground,” said Clark.

"When he announced the team he not only said I was in the XI, he said I was captain too - which was great. Obviously I was pleased to be given that honour, but really I was pleased just to be playing again and part of the team if I'm honest. But the most important thing at the end was the result, and we're buzzing with that win.

"We worked on playing as a three-man central-defence during the international break and we knew with their style of play that we might be able to get out with playing three at the back and using the wing-backs to push forward effectively.

"We did that, the system worked well and now it's about getting focused and prepared for West Ham on Saturday, which will be a very different game."

Clark has seen his opportunities limited this season. That was his first start since the end of September, with Fabian Schar and Federico Fernandez preferred to him when Lascelles has been injured. Florian Lejeune is also edging nearer a return to increase the options at the back.

Clark said: “Playing with a three gets more of us on to the pitch. There's lots of competition throughout the team and it's one of those things that, if the system works like it did against Burnley and three of us can be out on the pitch, then great.

"But if we're working on a four on the back and that's what we're going to do, then that's just how it is and we'll all work hard trying to make sure it's ourselves who get the nod. We're all happy, we're all just working hard in training and fighting for a place to play in every game. It's great competition and that's only helping the team, too.”

Regardless of who starts, Clark is confident Newcastle can maintain the recent improvements.

"I think the season is very much up and running now. We had a really tough start and we were unlucky in most of the games we actually played in,” he said. "To go on this run of three wins in a row is unbelievable, but we always had the belief in the team we would turn this around.

“We've proved that, but we really want to keep this going now and really kick on and pick up more points in December."

It has emerged Leeds United are interested in taking Newcastle goalkeeper Freddie Woodman on loan in January.

The England Under-20s World Cup winner is in a stand-off over extending his contract and he was on the bench at Burnley because Karl Darlow has an injured elbow.

Arsenal, Fulham and Celtic have also watched in-demand Woodman, whose contract expires in 2020.

Woodman admits: "I want to get the best out of a bad situation. January is around the corner and I have to be prepared for it when it comes. I've always said I enjoy playing football so whatever level it is, I am going to enjoy it."