| In pre-season games to date, the manager’s emphasis has been on improving fitness and match sharpness as opposed to results, but, with the league opener against Hearts now just over a fortnight away, his view has changed.
“We have reached the point where we now want to see good team performances and for the boys getting back into the winning habit,” he said today.
“There were signs of that against Inverness Caley on Tuesday when we played some good football and won and, on Sunday, I’ll be looking for an improvement.
“It’s a step up in terms of quality of opposition and, although they were relegated last season, we will be facing a team of players who have been playing in the English Premiership just a few months ago.
“That means this will be a good test for us and, given the size of club Newcastle are, it is a fitting way to mark our centenary.”
With long-terms injury victims like Lee Wilkie, Damian Casalinuovo and Jon Daly not available, Craig was happy to report there were no serious concerns after the midweek fixtures at Caley and Linlithgow Rose.
“We took Scott Robertson off at Inverness because he was feeling his calf and Garry Kenneth came off at Linlithgow, but neither has anything serious and I am expecting them to be OK,” he confirmed.
Meanwhile, although, it is over three months away, Craig admitted he was looking forward to his first Dundee derby when the Dark Blues visit Tannadice on November 10 for a friendly to christen the new Tannadice floodlights.
“For a start, the money we raise from this game is going to both clubs’ youth set-up so that means it is for a very good cause,” he said. “And, from my point of view, I have kept hearing what great occasions these games are and to get the chance to experience one is something I am really looking forward to.” |
