Hughton: Players tried everything

04 October 2009 15:52
A frustrated Chris Hughton admitted he could not criticise his Newcastle side for a lack of desire in trying to see off a resilient Bristol City at St James' Park.[LNB]City goalkeeper Dean Gerken, who only discovered he was playing at 2.55pm, produced fine saves to keep out Danny Guthrie's close-range volley and Kevin Nolan's header.[LNB]However, he needed the help of the woodwork on three occasions to preserve his clean sheet, Marlon Harewood hitting a post after seven minutes and Nolan and Steven Taylor both being denied by the crossbar in quick succession with 20 minutes remaining.[LNB]Hughton said: "It was very frustrating but I couldn't fault the manner, in particular in the second half, of our approach to go and win the game against a good Bristol City side who came with a formation which certainly frustrated us.[LNB]"But we had opportunities and if we had taken one of those opportunities, I could have seen us going on and getting further goals."

Source: Eurosport