Hughton will harness his attacking arsenal

Feb 17 2010 by Mark Douglas, The Journal

Although Hughton’s side have set the pace in the Championship it has often been promotion rivals West Brom and Nottingham Forest that have attracted the plaudits for their attacking football.

The Baggies, in particular, have turned on the style on more than a few occasions – including a memorable 5-0 drubbing of Middlesbrough.

But both sides will envy the durability of Newcastle, who have discovered an inner steel and character that has enabled them to emerge from a damaging summer to assert their dominance over the division.

Hughton addressed the need for more pace and energy in the January transfer window, but reserves the right to keep it tight when he feels a more expansive game would leave his side exposed.

“There are some games where you don’t think it will be appropriate. If you don’t it tends to be a different type of game,” the Newcastle boss said.

“It doesn’t mean it will be any less attractive or the passing worse, just that it becomes a different game. If you play a Peter Løvenkrands or an Andy Carroll it is different – you have different players for different games.”Changes are in the offing for United, with Gutiérrez, Leon Best and Mike Williamson all pushing for a recall to face the Sky Blues.

Hughton will resist the temptation to shuffle his pack too much, however, dismissing the idea that many of Newcastle’s players need a rest after a punishing schedule of five games in 17 days.

“We are playing teams with the same problems and they are having to play the same players,” he said. “It's about getting the balance between continuity and freshening things up.”