Chris Hughton is as pragmatic as ever this morning and points out that Newcastle still have 36 points to play for and it’s far too early to think that the team has already won promotion.
Chris Hughton – still too many points to play for
And we have to agree with that a couple of defeats and we could be back in the mix, but it’s character more than anything right now that will determine if the lads can secure automatic promotion before the season is out.
Chris talked this morning with the Newcastle Journal:
“Where there is a good thing for us at this moment is there is pressure at the top, because whatever we say about WBA and Forest, they are only two or three wins and two or three poor results away from us.”
“Maybe that pressure has been good for us, it has kept us going knowing we need to take something from every game.”
“We are where we are on merit and there is no doubt the top team is the one everybody wants to beat, who have to maintain the position they are in.”
“That is not easy, a lot of pressure comes with that, but we have had a group of lads with enough quality to stay there. We need to do that for another 12 games.”
“This was a big day for the club. It is unusual for us to score that amount of goals, and to score that amount of goals here at St James’, playing a brand of football which you know these supporters enjoy is good.”
“We are nine points clear of third and this was arguably our best performance, other than the Cardiff game, at home this season.”
We have been disppointed the way the team has given away late goals far too many times recently, and although we’ve scored 18 goals in our last four home games, we’ve had only a single clean sheet in those games, and at Watford last week we conceded in injury time.
Chris continued:
“The perfectionist in me is frustrated by the late goal we conceded. It was the first thing the lads were talking about in the changing-room afterwards.”
But this is a strange season for sure – and it seems that the lack of what took the side down last season, team spirit and guts when the going gets tough, is exactly the strength of the team this season.
While we have to still take one game at a time, you have to think the lads will fight like crazy in every single one of the remaining 12 games, and if they do that – surely we can win the big prize – promotion.
Comments welcome.
6 comments so far
lesh
Mar 8, 2010 at 10:37 AM
Comment #1Hughton’s proved to be a level-headed and sensitive guy who’s able to see the bigger picture of the club’s financial situation and work within it.
He seems to have excellent people-management skills and will, I’m sure prove to be very successful.
If we do prove good enough to go up, let’s not expect too much of him too early.
Wel done Chris, Colin, the whole back room and the lads who seem willing to bust a gut for him and the club.
We’re a proud and near-united nation again, let’s keep it that way.
deeza
Mar 8, 2010 at 11:26 AM
Comment #2any chance of gettin a picture of him in nufc atire rather than spurs kit???? lol
Ed Harrison
Mar 8, 2010 at 11:32 AM
Comment #3deeza – yes – done! 😀
deeza
Mar 8, 2010 at 11:34 AM
Comment #4thanks mate!!!
deeza
Mar 8, 2010 at 11:35 AM
Comment #5just seemed wrong HES OURS!
Robbanufc
Mar 8, 2010 at 12:44 PM
Comment #6But this is a strange season for sure – and it seems that the lack of what took the side down last season, team spirit and guts when the going gets tough, is exactly the strength of the team this season.
That’s just spot on mate.
What a game this weekend, and what a goal by our superhero! 😀