Source: Northern_Echo
Hughton disappointed with Guthrie
NEWCASTLE boss Chris Hughton admitted last night’s Carling Cup defeat to Peterborough exposed a worrying lack of depth in his side’s squad, but the situation should be ameliorated when Marlon Harewood finally completes a loan move to Tyneside on Friday.
Harewood’s three-month switch from Aston Villa has been delayed for more than a week, partly to allow the striker to recover from a foot injury, and partly to ensure that his 93-day loan will enable him to play in the whole of the Christmas programme.
He is now expected to sign for the Magpies on Friday, although his loan arrangement is understood to include a clause that will enable Newcastle to waive his £25,000-aweek wages if his foot injury reappears in the next three months.
Harewood’s arrival will increase Hughton’s attacking options, with the lack of firstcover having been glaringly apparent at London Road last night.
The Magpies manager was forced to hand four players their first senior start in order to rest key players for Saturday’s Championship game at Ipswich, and goals from Craig Mackail-Smith and Tom Williams ensured Newcastle exited the Carling Cup at the third-round stage.
“We knew it would be tough with the side we put out,” said Hughton, who hopes to have full-back Danny Simpson available for the trip to Portman Road.
“But I felt I had to look after lads who were a little bit vulnerable and we have what we have.
“I either had to play lads who were at risk of getting injured, or I had to play a young side and find a few things out about them.
“In the end, it was probably too much for them.
“If I look at our squad at the moment, I have to protect the vulnerable ones like Fabricio Coloccini and Andy Carroll, who had been out for four weeks before he came back at the weekend.”
Hughton denied that he had not taken the Carling Cup seriously, despite making nine changes from the side that started against Plymouth last weekend.
“There’s no doubt that promotion is the biggest target this season,”
said Hughton.
“But I’m certainly not looking upon the cup competitions as something we want to be out of.”
The Newcastle boss was critical of midfielder Danny Guthrie after he was dismissed for two yellow cards, the first of which he received for needlessly kicking the ball away in the first half.
“I was disappointed (at him) with the first booking,” he said. “Some have said they didn’t feel the second one was a bookable challenge, but I’m more disappointed with the first.”
■ Newcastle’s Tyne-Tees derby with Middlesbrough has been put back 24 hours for live coverage on the BBC.
The game at St James’ Park will now take place on Sunday, December 20 (ko 1pm).
