​Newcastle midfielder Isaac Hayden has been lavishing praise on the team's manager, Rafael Benitez, and insists the Spaniard has helped make him a better player.





The 21-year-old left joined the Magpies in the summer after spending eight years with Arsenal. Despite making a handful of appearances for Arsene Wenger's side, the midfielder was unable to tie down a regular spot in the first-team.





Following a season-long loan at Hull last season, Hayden made the decision to head north to join a recently relegated Newcastle United.

Since making the move, Hayden has featured in 19 matches for his new club as they look to gain promotion back into the Premier League. Despite losing their last match - 2-1 away to Nottingham Forest - the Magpies sit top of the Championship and remain the favourites to return to the top flight.





And whilst many of the players have been taking the plaudits, Hayden told the ​Chronicle that he believes the team's success is down to the mentality that has been instilled into the players by Benitez.





The midfielder said: “I think this season the manager has brought in a lot of new players and the manager is fairly new himself.

Newcastle United duo have suspensions withdrawnhttps://t.co/anU60kJRGt — The FA (@FA) December 6, 2016

“He has brought a lot of new ideas in. Everybody here is really hungry to win. Everybody has a winning mentality.





“It doesn’t matter whether it’s a cup game, league game, friendly game or training game - there are a lot of players in that dressing room that just want to win.





“We just want to progress.”





The 21-year-old also went on to single out his own relationship with the Spaniard and insisted that Benitez was helping him improve as a player.

Newcastle's strong start under Rafa Benitez should not be a surprise. He's a promotion specialist. | @ghostgoal https://t.co/IXNBXmttFa pic.twitter.com/GneFXkw0JV — Sky Football ⚽️ (@SkyFootball) November 30, 2016

Hayden added: “I’ve improved tactically. His experience and his tactical knowledge is massive.





“I have never really had that in a manager so far. Individually, talking to me and helping me is something I have never had.





“So tactically and positionally I am far better than when I first came. The main thing the manager has instilled in us is belief.





“We believe as a squad we are good enough.”

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