And the Newcastle boss wants his side to be fearless when they face City, who have lost back-to-back league games after winning their first five.
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City also have injury concerns over Yaya Toure, David Silva and Wilfried Bony, while Gael Clichy, Fabian Delph, Samir Nasri and Kelechi Iheanacho definitely miss out. Kompany’s calf is still injured – we’ll see if he’s fit after the worldwide break. The flipside of this game was the fact that Newcastle were 2-0 up and failed to hold on to their lead.
The 29-year-old last featured over two weeks ago when his side were defeated by Serie A champions Juventus 2-1 in the Champions League.
‘I never complain about the players who can’t play.
The Magpies’ last – and only – win in the city of Manchester came against City at Maine Road in September 2000. We have to play in the same way, in the same style.
At a few stage the Ivorian would like to be back in the thick of things in the Premier League, after just two substitute appearances against Southampton and Manchester United in August.
An aura of invinciblity surrounded the team as they picked off their opponents, including Chelsea, with ease, and scored eight goals in five games in the process, but they hit a stumbling block when faced with a West Ham United side who had already beaten Arsenal and Liverpool on away soil. We are progressing. Last week was encouraging, both on and off the pitch. City started the season brilliantly, but maybe they are struggling a little bit more at the moment with a couple of defeats in the league.
“I’m very surprised to see Newcastle where they are because of the experience they had towards the end of last season“. Newcastle is a club that has a fantastic stadium and great supporters who fill their ground every week. I mentioned earlier that the last time they had won a trophy it was at our expense in the 1955 FA Cup Final. A 2-1 win, remembered for that Dennis Tueart overhead kick saw the City blue walk up the old Wembley steps for the very last time for a major trophy (unless you consider the Division 2 Play off winners trophy a major trophy!). Raheem Sterling’s good start to the season seemed to revitalise City’s left flank with Aleksandar Kolarov looking like a new man in support.
There is still a sense of “getting to know you” about the Nicolas Otamendi and Martin Demichelis pairing, particularly with Eliaquim Mangala unlikely to return to action either.
Until they can re-find stability in defence, goals against will continue to be an issue. But it’s not only him – we must not forget the rest of the attacking players and we need them all at a top level.
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With 31, the Magpies have used more players in the top flight than any other side.
