Newcastle match preview

By: j | October 17th, 2008

Heading into Monday evenings match against Newcastle, City is poised to face down the first of six matches in nineteen days. However there is a growing confidence around Eastlands that the club is not only is building towards the future and has the man in-charge to deal with the tough problems but equally recognizes its weaknesses. One of the clear challenges that Mark Hughes has immediately identified and has trying to clear-up tactically is defensive fundamentals and incorporating some of the basics that have been successful in the past for him. The lessons of the Liverpool loss, when they didn’t lock down a match have been digested and I suspect after the international break, we will see a new styling of the club appear and one that can be victorious on the international scene. Per Mark Hughes:

“We want to be progressive and we want to play in the right way, with the team going forward and creating opportunities, but we have to make sure that we are not exposed at the back.”

In facing Newcastle this Monday, it goes without saying they are facing a club in a massive free fall. Poor decision making has led to the loss of Kevin Keegan’s leadership and the Mike Ashley sale could likely take a lot longer than expected given recent world financial market turmoil. On the pitch the club and its loyal supporters have been dealt a tough blow and sit with a single victory in seven matches.

Approaching the match, Newcastle will be without their leader Michael Owen and their simply is no filling that gap. Michael Owen has proven himself ten-fold during this slide and shown a level of leadership that exemplifies what a captain is. However he will miss the next ten days with a groin strain although Habib Beye, Jonás Gutiérrez and Obafemi Martins are all considered to likely be in the lineup.

Mark Hughes will be without Martin Petrov to injury and Pablo Zabaleta, who starts serving his three match ban after be excused against Liverpool. Robinho suffered a minor injury in international duty but is said to be one-hundred per-cent and ready to go.

In discussing the match Mark Hughes noted:

“They are a wounded animal at the moment and teams in that situation can be very dangerous.”

“Newcastle still have very good players. At the moment there is a bit of disruption at boardroom level but the team should be able to distance itself from that and just get on with business of playing football and, if they do that, then we know we are in for a difficult evening.”

“It is always hard going to St James’ Park because they are a vociferous crowd who do get behind their team if they are playing well – though the reverse of that is true as well.”

“If we start brightly and with purpose maybe the problems they are having at other levels of the club may affect the nature of the crowd.”

“We have to be mindful to start brightly and not let Newcastle get the upper hand so that the crowd becomes a big factor.”

I will report on the match as it concludes as well as provide updates to the injury situation prior to Mondays match.