THEY might have been criticised for being overly-negative as they lost to Chelsea on Sunday, but Fabian Schar fully expects Newcastle United to adopt a similarly cautious approach when they travel to reigning champions Manchester City this weekend.

Fielding a five-man defensive system despite playing at St James’ Park two days ago, Newcastle enjoyed just 19 per cent possession as they extended their winless start to the season to three matches.

Sky pundits Graeme Souness and Jamie Redknapp were scathing in their criticism of Rafael Benitez’s negative tactics, but the Magpies manager mounted a staunch defence of his game plan in the wake of his side’s defeat, claiming he was simply trying to make the most of the personnel at his disposal.

Benitez faced similar criticism after both of last season’s matches with Manchester City, with Newcastle attempting to stifle their opponents on Tyneside as they slipped to a one-goal defeat before also playing on the back foot as they lost 3-1 at the Etihad.

They are unlikely to be any more gung-ho as they return to the sky blue side of Manchester on Saturday tea-time, but having made his Newcastle debut in Sunday’s home reverse, Schar can appreciate the need for caution.

“It’s going to be another difficult game against a great team,” said the Switzerland international. “So it could be more or less the same sort of game and approach.

“We will have to defend well. If we do it like we did against Chelsea, then we will have an opportunity to get something there. It’s going to be a very tough game though.”

Having joined Newcastle in a £3m move from Spanish side Deportivo La Coruna in the summer, Schar could hardly have asked for a more difficult start to his Magpies career.

He was joined by another debutant, Federico Fernandez, in Newcastle’s remodelled backline, and while they ultimately finished on the losing team, the pair acquitted themselves well as they got their first experience of life in a black-and-white shirt.

Jamaal Lascelles’ absence remains shrouded in a degree of mystery, with Benitez downplaying suggestions that the Newcastle skipper rowed with him when the switch to a five-man defence was unveiled on the training ground last week.

Lascelles took to social media to state “frustrating not to be able to play due to a slight ankle injury”, and the former Nottingham Forest centre-half should be available to face City.

If Benitez opts to stick with five at the back, it will be interesting to see who drops out to accommodate Lascelles’ return, but Schar’s versatility means he remains a likely starter whatever his manager decides to do in an attempt to contain City’s formidable attacking threat.

“I’ve played this system before, and I know how to play in a three-man defence, a four-man defence or a five-man defence,” said Schar. “We have to be focused, we have to train well and do what the manager asks.

“We practised the system all week and we made a good job, we defended well, and they didn’t create many chances. The whole team fought well but we would have liked to have least claimed a point.”

Schar was responsible for conceding the penalty that enabled Chelsea to break the deadlock, felling Marcos Alonso as the full-back broke into the box.

The Magpies defender took some of the ball before sweeping Alonso’s legs, and while referee Paul Tierney immediately pointed to the spot, Schar is convinced the decision was wrong.

“The first one was no penalty, and the second goal (which saw Alonso’s shot deflect in off DeAndre Yedlin) was really unlucky,” he said. “We deserved a point, but we were left with nothing.”

Nevertheless, Schar enjoyed the experience of making his Premier League debut at a packed-out St James’, and is hoping it will not be too long before he is celebrating his maiden Magpies win.

“It’s a great feeling to play in front of the fans here,” he said. “But we wanted at least a point, so I’m disappointed about that.”