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Rafa Benitez has offered further insight into why he can’t simply bow to the demands of those who want to see Aleksandar Mitrovic handed a long run in the team.

The Serbian striker is a firm favourite with some sections of fans, but has watched on as Joselu, Dwight Gayle, Ayoze Perez and Mo Diame have all been given the nod ahead of him.

Joselu has been criticised by some supporters in recent weeks and this has sparked something of campaign to see Mitrovic involved from the start in Premier League games.

Benitez told the Chronicle: “If we want our striker - it doesn’t matter what his name is - scoring lots of goals, we have to control our games.

“I am sure they will all, Dwight, Mitro or Joselu, score goals - especially if we made 30 crosses per game.

“But we don’t have that type of team.

“We are in the Premier League but have to realise our level.

“A lot of games we don’t have the possession or control and we have to play counter-attack.”

(Image: Newcastle United)

Benitez then suggested that such a system points to pacy striker Gayle.

He added: “When we aren’t in the final third and the striker isn’t the quickest we then have to defend well and be strong to regain the ball.

“We can play counter-attack but can’t expect certain things from certain players.

“If we don’t have the pace in the team we can’t be in there.

“When we talk about Mitro or Joselu they are different to Dwight.

“Dwight has pace and the others are big and win balls in the air.

“It makes a big difference.

“If you play deep it’s more difficult for them because they are too far away.

“If we play high it is easier for them (Joselu and Mitrovic) but more difficult for Dwight Gayle.

“It’s a question of space, and a lot of fans will realise this.”

Benitez started with Joselu in attack at West Brom with Perez as the supporting striker behind him.

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Speaking about combinations with his attacking options, Benitez said: “It’s not just about the characteristics of the player or their amount of quality on the ball.

“If they aren’t the quickest they have to be closer because when they aren’t you have to do a job for the team in the middle.

“When Joselu was playing there Perez is with him.

“Or when Diame has played he’s been a second striker for Dwight.

“They are doing a great job for the team because we have to defend well if we want to stay in the games.”

However, Benitez feels the whole situation with his strikers also boils down to the personnel available to him for the first half of the season.

Benitez said: “The debate about who should play?

“Well, you then go back to - ‘we have who we have’.

“And these players are working so hard for the team that we have to support them.”