Newcastle United boss Rafa Benitez is urging fans to get behind the players for their clash with Cardiff City.

Benitez has taken just seven points from 11 games at St James' Park, losing eight of them.

"Cardiff will come here and say, 'We have to be strong at the beginning and the fans will get on top of the players'. They will try to make them nervous and anxious," said the Spaniard.

"The players feel the fans. If they are doing it right and they are cheering and supporting, they feel that.

"If they are doing something wrong and they can hear the fans, it can drag down the confidence of the players, for sure.

"We have to support these players. They can be good or bad, but they still care. If we stick together they will feel the confidence from the fans and will be better. Maybe one game can make the difference and we can stay up. Maybe that will be Cardiff."