Source: Northern_Echo
Magpies well aware of the tough task ahead
IF NEWCASTLE'S players were in any doubt as to the difference between competing in the Championship and prospering in the Premier League, it was highlighted in the two or three seconds before Manchester United opened the scoring at Old Trafford on Monday night.[LNB] Like the majority of his team-mates, Jonas Gutierrez conceded possession on countless occasions last season, but most of his mistakes went unpunished.[LNB] On Monday, however, things were different. The ball found its way to John O'Shea, he passed to Paul Scholes, who in turn fed Dimitar Berbatov, and within the blink of an eye, the Bulgarian had become the first player to score against Newcastle this season.[LNB] Err in the top-flight, and you will invariably be punished.[LNB] As he completes his preparations for tomorrow's opening home game against Aston Villa, Magpies manager Chris Hughton will be hoping the response to events at Old Trafford is a salutary lesson learned.[LNB] Without a doubt, I think you get punished more for mistakes in the Premier League, said Mike Williamson, who was Newcastle's stand-out defensive performer on Monday night.[LNB] You only have to look at the Man United game we lost the ball twice and within two passes, it was in the back of the net.[LNB] It proves that, when you play against that better quality, they punish every mistake.[LNB] Even when you don't make a mistake, sometimes you just have to hold your hand up and say it was a brilliant, fantastic move that you couldn't do anything about.[LNB] But it's our job as defenders to limit the chances.[LNB] A handful of mistakes cost us the other night. That's what we have to look at, personally and as a team. That's what we need to sort out if we're going to survive in the Premier League.[LNB] Aston Villa might not possess the same attacking pedigree as Manchester United, but in John Carew and Gabriel Agbonlahor, they still boast two international strikers capable of capitalising on any opportunities that come their way.[LNB] Last season, the Magpies kept a clean sheet in their first three league matches, a sequence that set them up for a stellar season at the top of the Championship.[LNB] Given the task awaiting them in the top-flight, few are expecting Newcastle's defenders to produce a repeat.[LNB] But after finishing last term with an unbeaten home record, Williamson admits it is imperative to get off to a strong start this time around.[LNB] When teams come here, it's paramount we make it a fortress, said the former Portsmouth and Watford defender, who was making his top-flight debut last weekend after Pompey's financial problems meant they were unable to play him in the first half of last season.[LNB] I think last year proved to a lot of people, including some of the pundits, that there was team spirit and quality in the camp. It's still there, and from the success we've had, we're only going to build We're looking to start that process against Villa. They've got a lot of guys up front who are big, strong and quick. But that's why you want to be in the best league in the world, to test yourself against all types of strikers.[LNB] They've got a very good system and it's proven how well they've done in previous years. It's up to us to match them.[LNB] With Sol Campbell still building up his fitness after joining Newcastle as a free agent, Williamson is set to resume his partnership with Fabricio Coloccini tomorrow.[LNB] The Magpies' defensive options reduced significantly when Steven Taylor was ruled out of the first half of the season with a shoulder injury, but Campbell's imminent return to action will add some much-needed top-flight experience and know-how to the ranks.[LNB] The former England international has gradually eased himself back into full training after missing the whole of preseason, and Williamson claims he has already had a significant impact on the rest of the defenders at the club.[LNB] When there were rumours linking Sol's name with here, I was really excited because I wanted to learn off him, he said. His portfolio speaks for itself, his caps for England and the clubs he's been at are phenomenal.[LNB] You can tell he's a presence and a character. When he's in training, he's very influential.[LNB] I'm looking forward to being around him.[LNB] We've got some experienced heads in the camp and some young lads like myself and (James) Perch, where it's the first time we've played in the Premier League. I think we have a good blend.[LNB]
