Rafa Benitez does not like the sight of Sam Allardyce in the opposition dugout at the best of times.
But the presence of a former Newcastle United manager, one who still appears to remain bitter about his tenure at Tyneside being cut short a full nine years on, standing in the away technical area at St James’ Park on Wednesday evening is far from what the Spaniard needs right now. Particularly given the current honeymoon period Allardyce is experiencing as Everton boss.
While the Toffees head to Tyneside unbeaten in four, the Magpies are going through one of the worst spells of Benitez’s three-decade-long managerial career.
Six defeats in seven matches, one win in 11 games, and 15 goals conceded in their last five. None of these statistics make for pretty reading.
Yet Newcastle have the opportunity to alter the course of their season inside the space of the next 19 days. United play six times between now and January 1 and, once you remove the trip to Arsenal and the home match against champions-elect Manchester City, there are four eminently-winnable games during that festive run.
Newcastle travel to the Emirates on Saturday and West Ham United the following week - he realises the importance of securing a positive result against his old foe.
“Yes I would like 20 points by Christmas,” Benitez replied when asked if his half-season target remained in place.
“Obviously I thought that maybe we could win one of the last few games, or get some results in one of these games, but still more or less it is the same.
“The reason I say 20 is because it is half of the competition, and then 40 is the full season and then you will be safe. If we are 18, then we need 22 during the second half.
“But still I think that this team will improve. The main thing is can we improve even with a bad run and start winning games again? I think so, but obviously we need to do it on the pitch.”
While Benitez declined the opportunity to criticise the Everton boss, with who he has never seen eye to eye - Allardyce always appears to resent any foreign coach who is hailed for their achievements in England, while he remains pigeon-holed as an old-fashioned British manager - the Spaniard did downplay his adversary’s impact at Goodison Park so far.
Everton won 4-0 with Allardyce “in the stands and without him doing anything” against West Ham last month, Benitez was keen to claun, meaning the ex-England manager took over a side who were “gaining confidence”.
But, that one dig aside, Benitez’s focus was solely on Newcastle - and finding an exit route from their current malaise.
The presence of Jamaal Lascelles on the teamsheet should help, with the captain fit enough to start if selected, as should the return to the XI of Christian Atsu.
Yet, interestingly, though Benitez revealed he has embarked upon some introspection in recent weeks, he remains adamant his United side have enough to survive.
Benitez also remains steadfast in his belief that his coaching methods will pay dividends in the end.
“I try to be [a self-critic]. But I know that sometimes we will make mistakes,” Benitez added.
“But sometimes when something is ‘wrong’, it is not a ‘mistake’ and, believe me, sometimes something that is ‘right’ does not mean you are ‘right’, it’s just that you are lucky or whatever.
“The majority of things we are doing are right, we are making mistakes too - but we will get it right.
“Then you have the experience, you have your staff, and you are telling the players: ‘Listen, that is the way.’ They have to believe and they have to carry on.”
With matches against three other sides in the bottom half of the table to come before New Year’s Day - the Magpies visit West Ham and Stoke City, while they also host Brighton and Hove Albion - Benitez realises this could be a critical period in Newcastle’s season.
“If we do well against these teams, I will have even more confidence than I have already. But we have to do it,” Benitez continued.
“So I thought we could draw or win some of these last few games, and we couldn’t, so obviously that is the key. Just to be sure that Everton we will and get to 18 points, then we are very close to 20.
“Then we’ll have the confidence. We if not, still we have to carry on.”
Benitez relishes beating his old rival Allardyce at the best of times. But three points on this occasion will be cherished even more gratefully by the Spaniard.