Source: Northern_Echo
Magpies want points, not praise
NEWCASTLE UNITED will attempt to put away day frustrations on the back burner tonight, with manager Chris Hughton admitting he would be happy for his team to be regarded as winners rather than the entertainers.[LNB] The Magpies face Coventry City tonight in the first match at St James' Park since the comprehensive 5-1 win over Cardiff City on February 5.[LNB] While that performance offered an insight into the capabilities of Hughton's squad, Newcastle have been unable to replicate such a display at Derby or Swansea.[LNB] Defeat was avoided at the on Saturday, but Nottingham Forest and West Brom remain in contention to pip them to the automatic promotion places this season.[LNB] With that in mind Hughton would sacrifice the attacking, compelling football his team showed in abundance against Cardiff if it meant Newcastle could dig out marginal victories to keep them ahead of their rivals.[LNB] It's nice if you can do it. I know what the supporters want to see, but that's any supporters of any team, said Hughton. We were delighted to be able to give the supporters that against Cardiff.[LNB] What's more important than that is winning games.[LNB] Would I have performances like that and get a draw or would I get a scrappy win It would be a win.[LNB] We have to maintain where we are.[LNB] What you want to be able to do is play a good, free-flowing passing game. If you don't it tends to be a different type of game, but it doesn't mean it will be any less attractive or the passing worse.[LNB] Leading goalscorer Kevin Nolan, backed yesterday to end his dip in form, was in agreement with his boss.[LNB] People say if you want to win promotion you've got to grind out results that's what we've done, said Nolan.[LNB] We've probably got better characters, better team spirit, better togetherness than this club has had for a few years now.[LNB] When we're not playing well, when the chips are down, we stick together and grind out results. We've managed to do that and we have been in the top two for a while, where we want to be.[LNB] While Newcastle might have found it difficult to win away since the turn of the year, their home form has been impressive. Coventry are looking to become the first team to win at St James' Park this season.[LNB] The Sky Blues, unbeaten in six, have enjoyed a mini-revival and have put themselves in with an outside chance of a play-off spot, which striker Leon Best probably couldn't predict before he completed a move to Tyneside.[LNB] The January signing from the Ricoh Arena headed for St James' with the intention of playing in the Premier League next season and that is what Hughton feels he is capable of even if he is unsure of just exactly what the 23-year-old can achieve.[LNB] The most important thing is that when you bring anyone in that they make a contribution,[LNB] he said.[LNB] If I go back to the Cardiff game, even though he didn't score, I thought it was a very good contribution from him.[LNB] It was also a great cross from him at Swansea.[LNB] I don't know where he can go. I see more development in him. He is a good age, a powerful lad and one lad you need to get close to goal because he is a big, powerful finisher.[LNB] I think he is at the right age to develop at this moment in a good team. That's something we have seen him for a while.[LNB] Hughton, meanwhile, admitted he has not been in discussions with Chelsea about extending the loan of Patrick van Aanholt. The left-back expects to return to Stamford Bridge following the injury sustained by Ashley Cole.[LNB] Hughton confirmed Shola Ameobi faces a couple of weeks on the sidelines with a hamstring injury.[LNB] Newcastle (probable): Harper; Simpson, Williamson, Coloccini, van Aanholt; Routledge, Nolan, Smith, Gutierrez; Carroll, Best.[LNB]
