Richards calls for defensive effort

Defender Micah Richards believes Manchester City need to start covering the cracks at the back if progress is to be made this season.

With the likes of Robinho, Shaun-Wright Phillips, Elano and Jo to call on, the goals are flying in.

City have hit 18 in seven Premier League matches, going into the game against Newcastle on Monday at St James’ Park.

However they have conceded 12 and Richards feels it is time to put up the shutters again.

He is fit and ready as well after missing the England Under-21 team’s play-off victory against Wales because of a minor knee injury sustained in the 3-2 home defeat by Liverpool.

He said: “We have conceded a few goals this season but I don’t think you can put that down just to me and Richard Dunne.

“It is the whole team, just as it is when we score. We will try to recapture our form of last season. Then I hope we will stop the goals going in.”

Richards insists that City have not had the rub of the green so far.

“Every game we have played this season we should have won,” he told the Manchester Evening News.

“We just missed out by a fraction in some games so that’s why I would not worry about the league position.

“If you look at the last two games we were very hard done by but we have to let that go now and look forward to the next match.”

Manager Mark Hughes wants City to develop a tougher streak in the coming weeks and months.

He said: “We are building in the right way. Everyone is really positive about the level of football and the quality of football we are producing.

“But we need to see out games to their conclusion and take something out of every one we play.

“That is a pre-requisite because of the focus that is on us. We are working to that end.”

Richards could be switched to right-back at Newcastle as Pablo Zabaleta is suspended after being sent off against Liverpool, with Tal Ben Haim moving into the centre to partner Richard Dunne.

Robinho looks set to start despite suffering a thigh problem in Brazil’s draw with Colombia in midweek. However Martin Petrov is ruled out because of the knee ligament injury which could keep him sidelined for a long stretch.