Magpies midfield duo have steel and style, says Backe
The Swede admits the tough-tackling pair beef-up the Magpies' midfield.
But he insists they don't just add steel to the side – but also style, with their composure on the ball and the quality of their passing game.
Backe has introduced a three-man central midfield since taking over at Meadow Lane last month.
And he said competition for the three places between Bishop, Ravenhill, Ben Davies and Johnnie Jackson is fierce.
He said: "We are playing with three central midfielders at the moment.
"They are all very close in a way.
"It's for me to have a look at them in training sessions and the form they have.
"Some times who plays will depend on the teams we are against.
"All of the midfield players we have are technically very good. Davies and Jackson are very comfortable on the ball and so is Ravenhill.
"I said to him in training he's not the type that is only a runner, a box-to-box player, like everyone says.
"He's very comfortable on the ball and he can fit in with the passing game we have.
"Neal is physically very strong but you can also see he is comfortable on the ball too.
"He's sharp in the passing game."
Bishop has captained the side in the last few games as club skipper John Thompson has been dropped to the substitutes' bench.
Backe said he asked his No.2 Dave Kevan who to give the armband to while Thompson is out of the side.
"I talked to the backroom staff about who will be the captain when Thompson is on the bench because I didn't know the players at that time," he said.
"They told me he (Bishop) had been captain for his former club too so he's experienced for that role. He's done well."
Neal Bishop
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