Kinnear 'proud' of Magpies

Newcastle manager reflects on a disappointing Boxing Day

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 26th December 2008

Kinnear 'proud' of Magpies

Kinnear: Tough Christmas

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Newcastle boss Joe Kinnear refused to get too disheartened after seeing his side lose 2-1 at Wigan.

The Magpies had entered the game at the JJB Stadium on the back of a six-match unbeaten run, but came up short against Steve Bruce's Latics.

Goals from Ryan Taylor and Amr Zaki put them on the back foot, with a late Danny Guthrie penalty proving to be scant consolation.

The afternoon had started badly for Newcastle when Jose Enrique tweaked his hamstring in the warm up, while Habib Beye was stretchered off in the first half following a robust challenge from Lee Cattermole.

To add to their woes, Sebastien Bassong was then dismissed midway through the second half for hauling down Emile Heskey in the box.

Kinnear admits his side faced countless challenges during the Boxing Day contest, but was pleased with the effort displayed by his players as they battled bravely against ill-fortune.

Commitment

"I was really proud of the lads today, the way we played. We did exceptionally well today," he told Sky Sports.

"Habib Beye was stretchered off after a reckless challenge, which should have seen a red card, but we got ourselves back in the game.

"But it was just one thing after another today. On top of the injuries we got, we now have about eight or nine missing. It's going to be a tough Christmas for us.

"We feel hard done by. There was nothing between us first half and in the last 10 minutes, when we had 10 men, we finished stronger than they did.

"But everything conspired to go against us today, so we go home disappointed but happy with the effort and commitment.

"We just have to put this behind us and show the same against Liverpool (on Sunday)."

Reckless

Kinnear was wary of saying too much about the incident which ended Beye's afternoon, but believes referee Mike Dean did his side no favours throughout the game.

"It was a reckless challenge. He's in hospital at the moment and will be kept in to monitor the situation," he added.

"We have to wait to see how bad it is and hope it's not as bad as we thought it was at the time. If it is, then that's both full-backs out for a fair length of time. We haven't got too many other full-backs so we will end up having to play centre-halves in those areas.

"I could say plenty, but I will fall into the trap of being called up by the FA. It's about time someone spoke the truth but this time I have to keep my mouth shut."