Upbeat Kinnear vows to attack
05 Dec 2008 - 12:19:30
Newcastle United manager Joe Kinnear plans to put Stoke City on the back foot by adopting an attacking approach to this weekend's clash between the two sides at St James' Park.
Shola Ameobi misses the game through injury but, after three successive draws, Kinnear is going all out for victory against Tony Pulis' team.
"I think we'll go very offensive and test them," he told the club's official website.
"We have enough firepower to get something out of the game and I'll be telling the lads to go for the jugular from the off.
"I've been delighted in all our previous home matches, other than the late equaliser we conceded against Wigan. But I've set two benchmarks - the home win over Aston Villa and the away draw at Chelsea.
"We've watched the videos of those games and keep reminding the players that we have to recapture those performances and meet that standard every week. If we get beyond that then we're a match for anybody.
"We could go with the three-pronged attack at some stage in the game, but you have to be loyal to the rest of the players.
"If I went with three from the start you have to be careful because if you lose possession in certain areas there could be three players out of the game.
"But if things are forced upon me then I'll take a chance because I've always been a manager that is not afraid to take risks.
"But I think to start with I'll stay loyal to the bank of eight which has done well for us and it will be two from three up front."