Source: Team_Talk
Toure calls for City consistency
Kolo Toure claims Manchester City need to defeat Newcastle on Sunday and send out a strong message they can be genuine title contenders. The former Arsenal defender has been heartened by wins against Liverpool and Chelsea already this season.However, City, a side with Champions League expectations, have also had to settle for a home draw with Blackburn and lost at Sunderland.Toure is adamant there should be no slip-ups when Chris Hughton's newly-promoted side visit Eastlands.He said: "We just need to be consistent in our results. The Newcastle game is really important because we need to show we have improved."Every time we play a big team we play well but when we play a team we are supposed to beat we struggle a bit. We hope to change that on Sunday."Toure knows he will have his work cut out against Newcastle striker Andy Carroll, who has weighed in with four goals this term.However, it is a challenge the experienced Ivory Coast international is relishing.He said: "Andy Carroll is a really tough player. I have played against strikers like him many times in my career. It will be a good battle."City followed the victory against Chelsea with a draw against Juventus in the Europa League in midweek.That point came thanks to a goal from England winger Adam Johnson, who had a spell at Newcastle as a schoolboy before moving to Middlesbrough.Toure has formed a good partnership at the back with Belgium international Vincent Kompany, who was again impressive against the Italians.Kompany was signed from Hamburg as a defensive midfielder but has adapted seamlessly to his new role as Toure will testify."Vincent is a really intelligent player, " said Toure. "He was strong last season and is doing really well in this campaign."It is not easy playing centre-half when you have been in midfield. It takes time to get used to it. But he is doing really well at the back, which is good for the team."Pablo Zabaleta will miss the match after suffering a hamstring strain, which will either mean a recall for Dedryck Boyata or Joleon Lescott.David Silva, James Milner and Nigel de Jong will all hope for a place in the starting XI after being on the bench against Juventus.