Source: Northern_Echo
Magpies suffer on return to top-flight
CHRIS Hughton last night claimed an opening-game defeat at Manchester United will not have damaged the confidence and spirit that carried Newcastle to the Championship title last season.[LNB] The Magpies' eagerly-awaited return to the Premier League ended in a 3-0 defeat as goals from Dimitar Berbatov, Darren Fletcher and Ryan Giggs underlined the difficulty of the task facing last season's Championship winners as they tackle life in the topflight.[LNB] Last year, Newcastle's players were quick to attribute their success to a unity that enabled them to overcome the disappointment of the club's relegation.[LNB] And while yesterday's reverse was as comprehensive as many of the defeats that littered the Magpies' relegation campaign, Hughton insists it will not have damaged his players' morale.[LNB] It's a disappointing evening, but it's my job to accentuate the positives, said the Newcastle boss. If we had come away from a really heavy defeat, that would have been a much more difficult task. But there were positives out there and we can take them on board as we look to move forward.[LNB] One defeat will not affect the spirit. We have to remind ourselves that fortunately we don't have to come to Old Trafford and play against Manchester United every week.[LNB] We're certainly not going to be the only team that comes away from Manchester United without having got anything.[LNB] Nevertheless, Hughton conceded that Newcastle paid the price for twice switching off in the quarter-of-an-hour leading up to half-time.[LNB] Prior to that point, the visitors had mounted a stout resistance and restricted Manchester United to a handful of long-range efforts at goal.[LNB] Two mistakes later, though, and the game was as good as over.[LNB] The manner of a couple of the goals was what disappointed me the most. For the first goal, we had possession, but that's typical United.[LNB] They're so clinical on the turnover. Within seven or eight seconds, the ball was in the back of our net.[LNB] If there is a lesson to be learned a very harsh lesson in this division it's that the quality of the teams we're playing against is higher and they'll punish you if you give the ball away.[LNB] With Danny Guthrie nursing a knee injury and Peter Lovenkrands having suffered a groin strain, Hughton was forced to name the likes of Xisco, Haris Vuckic and James Tavernier among his substitutes.[LNB] The size of the squad remains a source of concern, and the Magpies boss will continue to target potential new signings in the final two weeks of the transfer window.[LNB] We have said that we still need to strengthen this squad, he said. And we're still hopeful of doing that before this window closes.[LNB] Hatem Ben Arfa remains the club's leading target, and Newcastle officials are hoping a deal can be completed ahead of the weekend's home game with Aston Villa.[LNB] Having flown into Newcastle Airport on Friday night, Ben Arfa was recalled to France yesterday by a Marseille hierarchy growing increasingly infuriated with his actions.[LNB] Newcastle are close to agreeing an £800,000 loan deal with a view to a permanent £5m transfer next summer, with Ben Arfa's current employers conceding it will be all but impossible to keep the midfielder.[LNB] I never said I did not want him, but it is very difficult given his radical position and attitude, said Marseille boss Didier Deschamps. I think I did a lot for him. He has talent, but he still has some weaknesses. I wish him the best for his career.[LNB]
