Kinnear’s ‘dark arts’ will transform Toon, says Hughes

JOE KINNEAR could be about to re-shape the Newcastle landscape through his use of “the dark arts”, according to Manchester City manager Mark Hughes.

The veteran interim boss is already making waves both on and off the field, just weeks into his stewardship.

In Kinnear’s first game in charge, Newcastle came from 2-0 down to secure a draw against Everton at Goodison Park.

That spirited performance followed an infamous rant at a group of journalists in his opening media conference.

Hughes, who takes his side to Tyneside tonight, believes the two events are related. The City manager said: “He has made an immediate impact. I think that is what he anticipated he was going to do.

“Looking from the outside, it seems as though he needed to get something off his chest. It appears to have galvanised the team and the club.

“Everyone seems to be pulling closer together. They had a decent result against Everton, so he got the reaction he wanted.

“Joe has been a football man for many years. He understands how the game works and maybe he is using every dark art he can find out there to make sure the club is successful. Every manager looks to do that.”

Former Manchester United and Chelsea striker Hughes came up against Kinnear in the 1990s when he was manager of Wimbledon.

He believes the 61-year-old has a different kind of job to perform today on Tyneside.

Hughes said: “Joe’s teams had a certain style of play you had to combat. You had to stand up to the fight.

“I think what he is trying to do now is instil a little bit more confidence into a very good group of players.”

Kinnear’s impact has been hailed by Newcastle striker Shola Ameobi, who believes the Dubliner has reinvigorated the squad.

“Obviously, it’s been a tough four or five weeks for us as a club and certainly, the arrival of Joe Kinnear has livened the place up.

“The result (against Everton) was great for us and our confidence, the fightback we had there, and the morale in the camp has been raised.

“Certainly, it is testament to what Joe has brought. He has brought a confidence back to us and hopefully we can carry that on and get a win against City.”

Meanwhile 11 Premier League players have been shortlisted for this year’s European Footballer of the Year award. Cristiano Ronaldo, the favourite, Wayne Rooney, Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard, Cesc Fabregas, Michael Ballack, Didier Drogba, Edwin van der Sar, Nemanja Vidic and Emmanuel Adebayor are all in contention for France Football’s Ballon d’Or.

NEWCASTLE (likely): Given, Beye, Taylor, Coloccini, N’Zogbia, Geremi, Butt, Guthrie, Duff, Martins, Ameobi.

MANCHESTER CITY (likely): Hart, Richards, Dunne, Ben Haim, Garrido, Wright-Phillips, Kompany, Ireland, Elano, Jo, Robinho.