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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. We're certainly not going to be the only team that comes away from Manchester United without having got anything. Nevertheless, Hughton conceded that Newcastle paid the price for twice switching off in the quarter-of-an-hour leading up to half-time. Prior to that point, the visitors had mounted a stout resistance and restricted Manchester United to a handful of long-range efforts at goal. Two mistakes later, though, and the game was as good as over. 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. They're so clinical on the turnover. Within seven or eight seconds, the ball was in the back of our net. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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.