Jamie Carragher believes Newcastle have recruited a top manager in Rafa Benitez but expects them to face a tough night against Leicester. The former Liverpool boss is preparing for his first game in charge - against the leaders on Monday Night Football - after taking over from the sacked Steve McClaren.Carragher, who played under Benitez for six years at Anfield, told Sky Sports News HQ that Newcastle have got a top boss at the helm, although he did admit the Spaniard faces a different challenge on Tyneside. It was a decision [Newcastle] had to make, said Carragher. They had to change something and as weve said before you cant get rid of your players. I think if some clubs could they would, because theyve got a lot of poor players in that squad, thats why theyre down there.In Rafa Benitez, they have one of the best managers out there who they could get. I dont think they could get anyone better with the CV he has, but he hasnt managed with that sort of level of player for a long time. Fantasy Six-a-Side Pick six players for the chance to win £10,000. Ten or 12 years hes been at the top, which is credit to him but youd have to go back to his early days in Spain when he was getting teams promoted and relegated. So I think it will be slightly different for him. Jamie Carragher played under Rafa Benitez during their time together at Liverpool Newcastle have conceded 53 goals so far this season, the fourth most of any team in the Premier League, but Carragher has backed Benitez to sort out their struggling defence.Hell be very organised, youll see that between now and the end of the season, added Carragher. You may not see it tomorrow night [against Leicester] as hes only had a couple days training but as the weeks go on I think youll see a lot more defensive organisation from Newcastle. I think theyll be a lot more difficult to beat. Benitez replaced Steve McClaren at St James Park The quality of player they have there they shouldnt be fighting relegation or be second bottom of the league. Theyre certainly not a top eight team, which was a requirement of Steve McClaren - there was no chance of that.But theyve got better quality than where they should be and Benitez will be hoping to bring that out in the next 10 games.While Carragher believes Newcastle have enough to stay up under Benitez, he also thinks Sunderland could edge the battle for survival due to boss Sam Allardyces experience in a relegation scrap. Keith Downie gets reaction from fans as Rafa Benitez takes over at Newcastle I think theyve got enough to stay up but it looks like a straight shootout between Sunderland with Sam Allardyce and Norwich, who have just gone above them.Id favour Sunderland just because Allardyce has more experience at that end of the table and dealing with that level of player, Carragher added.Leicester thumped Newcastle 3-0 at St James Park in November, and Carragher believes Benitezs side have a tough trip ahead of them on Monday Night Football. The Sunday Supplement panel discuss the appointment of Benitez It will be very difficult. [Leicester] have only lost three games this season and whoever theyve come up against theyve had answers, he said.The plan has got to be to stop Leicesters counter-attack. Its what theyve been famous for this season with the pace of [Riyad] Mahrez and [Jamie] Vardy. So youd expect Newcastle to play deep and counter themselves.Benitez will be aware of what theyre about, hell be aware of their strengths and weaknesses and it will be whether they can carry out his plan. Get a Sky Sports Day Pass Dont miss Leicester v Newcastle. Watch live on NOW TV for £6.99. No contract Also See: Let Benitez be the manager Benitez thinking long-term Benitez calls for unity Get a free £10 bet Hydro Flask Cyber Monday Sale . Those lessons were more than enough to overwhelm the Utah Jazz. Lou Williams scored 25 points and the Hawks continued their offensive upswing as they rolled to an easy 118-85 victory over the Jazz on Friday night, winning their third straight and for the fourth time in five games. Swell Black Friday . The giant slalom world champion slipped during her first run in the morning, landing on her back and then twisting forward before getting her leg caught in the protective material on the side of the slope. http://www.waterbottleblackfriday.com/ . "Hes going to have hip surgery on Jan. 7, and hell be expected to rehabilitate for four to six months beyond that," Canucks general manager Mike Gillis said Friday in an interview. Cheap Hydro Flask . PETERSBURG, Fla. Swell Cyber Monday . Pierce was ejected in the third quarter of Indianas 103-86 win Monday. George Hill stole a bad pass and was going in for a layup, and Pierce hustled back and appeared to be trying to wrap him up. The screamerZimbabwes pain while batting was mostly self-inflicted, but there was one wicket that was down to a moment of athletic brilliance in the field. Graeme Cremer had begun to settle into his role of providing support to the set Sean Williams. He had accumulated nine runs when he drove one in the air through the covers. Or, rather, it would have gone through the covers had Kusal Mendis not leaped up at short cover and snatched the ball from over his head in the blink of an eye. Cremer had to depart, while Mendis was mobbed by his team-mates.The misfield(s)Williams is not one to look indulgently upon fielding lapses off his bowling. On the fourth ball of the 15th over, Upul Tharanga threaded a cut between point and backward point. Both fielders turned to give pursuit, ultimately combining for a tag-team effort to keep it down to two. But, far from impressed, Williams was furious that neither of them had dived initially to cut it off. Next ball, Williams was guilty of failing to cut off a straight drive from Tharanga. He found that annoying enough, but it was about to get worse. Tarisai Musakanda, running around from long-on, took his eyes off the ball and let it go between his legs for four. Williams was ready to explode.The unrecognised opportunityIn the 18th over of Sri Lankas chase, Tharanga closed the bat face early on a Cremer delivery and got a leading edge that lobbed in the air not too far beyond the bowlerr.dddddddddddd But Cremer, seemingly unaware of how close it was, took a few backward steps before giving up. Mid-on was not too far, but did not make a serious attempt either. What should have been a clear chance, went by quietly, almost ignored.The screamer that wasntBatting on 18 and looking rather scratchy, Tharanga chipped one in the air towards short midwicket, where Hamilton Masakadza made a sharp, full-length dive to his right and got a hand to it, but the ball did not stick. Instead, it rolled away and Tharanga scampered through for a single. It would be harsh to call it a drop - it was a half-chance at best - but it extended the batsmans charmed stay at the crease. The bowler, incidentally, was the long-suffering Williams.Williams shows the wayThe twin themes of Williams and fielding were to combine with dramatic effect once more in the match. This time, though, there was no mistake, nor any angst. Mendis, having made a sparkling fifty, top-edged a slog sweep to deep square leg, where Williams was stationed. He judged the balls flight well, timed his jump perfectly and took a terrific catch over his head, mere inches from the boundary. For a man who takes pride in his fielding that would have been pleasing. He doffed his hat, bowed and flashed a smile just to underscore that point. ' ' '