RAFA BENITEZ has refused to criticise any supporters planning to deliberately take their seats late in the latest protest against Mike Ashley when Newcastle United take on West Ham United this afternoon.

The Magpie Group, a section of fans on Tyneside, have called upon supporters not to take up their seat at St James’ Park until 11 minutes in to the Premier League fixture, to highlight their frustrations at how they describe as “11 wasted years” on Tyneside under Ashley.

The move comes at a time when Newcastle have successfully managed to overcome a disappointing start to the campaign and they are looking to win for the fourth time in a row, to climb clearer of the bottom three.

But Benitez has tried not to get involved in a fan-owner debate and suggested that everyone has an opinion, even if he wants Newcastle’s players to try to focus on what they have to do on the pitch rather than what is happening off it.

Benitez said: “The fans have been here longer than me. They are entitled to do what they want to do.

"They know my idea, that I am pleased to see everyone supporting the team. What I have said before is what I can say now.  “Am I in favour of anything? To be sure the team has the support it needs. I have been here for a while now so I know what they think. I have to concentrate on what I can manage.”

Benitez faced these questions after the Magpie Group issued a statement calling for the action, in what they believe is a way of putting pressure on Ashley to support the manager in the January transfer window.

The protest this Saturday could be followed by a bums-on-seats tactic when Wolves visit St James’s Park, televised by Sky Sports, on December 9.

A Group spokesman said: “We encourage fans to take a stand in this fixture and in the game against Wolves, where we propose a full boycott. We know this is painful for Newcastle supporters to do but, for the longer-term future of the club, it’s time to tell those at the top that enough is enough.”

But Benitez, aware of the situation before the media conference, is focused on trying to ensure his improving team continue to make the right noises in his pursuit of staying out of the relegation zone.

He said: “My job is to be sure the players are fine and concentrating on West Ham. I cannot control other things. I have a lot of respect for our fans because they are supporting our team, supporting me.  “I understand what they think. But at the same time, if they are in the stadium, they have to support the team and the players will appreciate that. If they are there, I am sure they will support the team. But it is not my decision.”

He added: “I understand the idea, what they want to do but I really want to concentrate and focus on the team and that’s it. My concern is for the players, that they are fine and when they go on the pitch, they are ready, that’s it.”

Benitez also knows how important a positive mood is inside St James’, he said: “100 per cent. But every player is different so I do not know how each one would react. We can only concentrate on what we can change and we can’t affect that. We will try to be ready.

“I think we changed the approach at home in recent games because we have been doing well. Don’t forget against Brighton, we had many attempts so we were there but we lost.

“We did a lot of things right but it was still not enough. If you give the fans something more to cheer about, then we go there. We have nothing to lose at the moment. We were unlucky against Brighton and then we were better. Try to be sure we are on the front foot. We have to try a similar approach because 52,000 fans all together, it is a massive support.”

But Benitez, who is yet to sign an extension on the contract that is due to expire in the summer, is smiling ahead of the planned protest after Newcastle’s run of good form.

He has always tried to maintain the same mood regardless of the result and form, with his calmness a crucial factor in the players being able to turn things around to climb off the foot of the table.

Benitez does know, though, that he wants reinforcements in January, which is why he continues to have regular dialogue with managing director Lee Charnley to hear if there has been any progress on the transfer front.

He said: “We have to find the right players. Believe me, the right players and after we can start to work on that. It doesn’t matter if we say we have this or that. The way it works is: we want this one… OK, go. We are close. But we will see what happens.

“I receive phone calls from agents all the time. They give you names. We talk with the scout team .We decide this is the player: Go.”