New boys give me options - Chris Hughton
Sep 6 2010 by Mark Douglas, The Journal
CHRIS Hughton believes he can change the way Newcastle United play when he finally takes the wraps off his summer signings.
The United boss will have Cheick Tiote, Sol Campbell and Hatem Ben Arfa available for the first time after the international break.
And Hughton knows that the addition of the former Marseille schemer in particular can give United an added dimension. He will have to wait a little bit longer to give Dan Gosling his Newcastle bow, but nonetheless Hughton reckons all of his new arrivals can make a big difference.
Newcastle have so far stuck to the 4-5-1 formation they used on the road last year and it has yielded four points and a couple of very encouraging performances. However, Hughton knows that flexibility is the key if United are to continue to make waves in the top flight.
Newcastle are likely to go on the offensive when they take on fellow promoted side Blackpool next weekend, with Ben Arfa set to play some part against the Tangerines.
It is all part of the progression that Hughton wanted to see in his squad. “I was delighted to sign those players and what that gives us now that we didn’t have before is options,” the United boss said.
“What we have to have this season is a good enough squad to serve us in every game we play and Hatem Ben Arfa and Cheick give us something different.
“Hatem is a flair player and he is a little bit different to what we’ve got and that gives us options.”
He added: “Our squad is definitely
stronger. It isn’t just about what we’ve got today or the next day, it is about coping when we’re stretched with injuries and hopefully we are better equipped to do that now.”
For all the importance that Hughton attaches to his new arrivals, he also recognises that team spirit and togetherness remain key to his Newcastle project. That means that his influx of recruits will have to integrate.
“The spirit will be key,” the managed admitted. “I think we are conscious that there are a lot better teams in the division than us and we’ll need to work hard to take points off everyone that we come up against.
“But we have quality as well and if we are able to keep the team spirit that we had last season, we can go a long way with that.
“I am certainly conscious that played a big part in our success last year and I think the lads are too.”
That spirit was evident in their last Premier League outing at Wolves, when Newcastle dug in and earned themselves a point after falling behind in the first half.
Meanwhile, Hughton has confirmed that United are taking a look at young French midfielder Nassim Boukhelifa, who is a free agent after leaving Racing Club Lens.
The attack-minded 19-year-old is currently training with United’s development squad and Newcastle are considering adding him to the reserve squad managed by Peter Beardsley.
Boukhelifa was on trial with Manchester City earlier in the summer but failed to win a contract at Eastlands, despite being highly-rated at Lens.
The French club offered him a permanent deal but Boukhelifa opted to chance his arm trying to win a deal in England.
“He is a lad that is on trial. He is a young lad that is training with our development squad,” said Hughton.
