Aston Villa manager Tim Sherwood admits he is eager to get the absolute most out of Christian Benteke.
Belgium striker Benteke has had a terrible time of it this season, netting just two Premier League goals in 17 appearances, coinciding with Villa's drop to second bottom on the table.
Benteke could do no wrong for the West Midlands club prior to the 2014/15 campaign when scoring 29 league goals in 60 outings but he has been unable to rediscover that sublime form this term which has attracted plenty of negativity from the media.
As Villa prepare for Saturday's vital clash with Newcastle United at St James' Park, Sherwood has urged Benteke to come up with a match-winning hat-trick before giving his critics some comeuppance.
"I have not patronised him but I have told him some home truths," said Sherwood of the 24-year old.
"I've told him he was one of the best strikers in the country, every club wanted him, Villa didn't want to sell him. He's no flash in the pan, he scores one in two.
"I've told him to win the match ball, take it home and throw it in people's face on Saturday."
Sherwood added: "He wants to work hard and find some confidence and capture his form.
"We know what he can do. Players should be scared of him if they have got memories like me. I remember the way he terrorised defenders.
"You forget that he's still young and he's had a bad injury. The other players need to help him too."
