Source: Telegraph
Mark Hughes assessed Robinho's mindset
Robinho, who faces a possible fine of two weeks' wages for leaving City's training camp in Tenerife and visiting Brazil last week, went into the Newcastle game having been arrested by West Yorkshire police on Tuesday over an allegation that he sexually assaulted a teenager in a Leeds nightclub. It is understood, however, that the circumstances of his trip to Brazil and whether the club sanctioned it are in dispute.[LNB]The 25-year-old, who has protested his innocence and denied any allegations of wrongdoing, displayed little sign of any off-field difficulties as he inspired City to the victory that lifted the club into the top half of the table.[LNB]Applauded onto the pitch before the game by City supporters, who regularly chanted his name throughout the player's 90-minute performance, Robinho gave a glimpse of the talent that prompted the club to invest £32.5 million in his talents last September by creating the opening goal for Shaun Wright-Phillips in the first-half. [LNB]But after a traumatic week away from the pitch, Hughes admitted later that he had carefully studied Robinho's frame of mind before finalising his team for the fixture. [LNB]'I spoke to Robbie in the morning and he was very focused, looking ahead to the game and preparing as normal,' Hughes said. 'So, after the conversation I had with him, I had no qualms about putting him in because, mentally, he was in the right place and focused on the job in hand.[LNB]'There was never a doubt in my mind he would play. I thought there was a real determination in his play. He created the first goal with an intelligent ball and I thought his overall play was excellent.' [LNB]
