Newcastle have made a good solid start to the Premier League this season, but we cannot get carried away – too much.
Chris Hughton – taking control of Newcastle fans’ huge expectations
Newcastle have already had some great results this season, with wins at Arsenal, Chelsea and Everton, and home wins of 6-0 against Aston Villa and 5-1 against local rivals, Sunderland – our best result in that fixture for 55 years.
But Chris Hughton is trying to keep a lid on any unrealistic expectations:
“Where we have been in recent years I don’t think we can afford to think that way,”“The club needs a period of stability before it can push on from there, so talk of top six is unrealistic at this moment.”
“You never know, at some stage in the future, that can be possible.” “But we do have to go through a period of consolidation to get things put in place.”
Newcastle must have an excellent chance of collecting some points this afternoon, and since we haven’t won for 5 games now, we are certainly due a win at the Hawthorns, but the lads will have to turn up for this game, unlike our last game on the road at Bolton.
“If we lose two or three games on the spin there will be an equal amount of people thinking they could be in the bottom three in a few weeks’ time,”
“That is how close the league is. So we are realistic. The aim is exactly the same – to secure Premier League status and to continue to make progress.”
The Premier League is fairly wide open this season, and we can either push on, and get some stability in the league, but as Chris says, a couple of defeats in a row and we could also slip quickly down the table.
The bottom line is that we are very pleased with where the team is right now.
Comments welcome.
10 comments so far
jesus was a geordie
Dec 5, 2010 at 12:01 PM
Comment #1Dead on Chris, I liked his mentality in the Championship and I like it now – survival first, then build! We’re 2 years into the 5 year plan from when Hughton was installed…I’m willing to wait another 3 before I make a judgement!
Rotonda heights
Dec 5, 2010 at 12:23 PM
Comment #2Aim high and you may come half way. Aim low and chances are you will go down, as you start to inhabit a negative mindset.
We have £10m players, some on on huge wages. Top half should be the minimum requirement. Anything less is a terrible lack of ambition.
We have Carroll, Tiote, Barton, Colo, Spidey etc with Ben Arfa and Gosling to come back in to it.
Our only problem is getting a settled footballing, passing style of play and playing the right formation. Still not sure where Nolan fits in to be at his best. Too slow to be an out and out striker or even playing off one and not creative or fit enough when in midfield. It’s dilemma because he does know where the net is.
Solaidback
Dec 5, 2010 at 12:24 PM
Comment #3Totally agree, it doesn’t matter were we finish this seasopn as long as it’s no lower than 17th, then next season, we can push for midtable, then the season after that maybe a top 7 but at present, we have a very good tem who can turn on the game when needed & that’s a good start, lets have 3 points today as we’ve some hard games this xmas period & need to be in & around 10th place come the transfer window, so we’ll know what the rest of theseason has install for us.. 🙂
roblee7
Dec 5, 2010 at 12:37 PM
Comment #4I read on the previous article somebody mentioned luciano beccio from leeds as a possible signing as his contract is up at the end of the season, a good shout i reckon! Also, has anyone been keeping tabs on Kris Commons at derby recently? I’ve seen him quite a few times now and have to say his game has improved rapidly last couple of seasons, lightning quick, skillful and has an eye for goal. As Lovenkrands doesn’t really seem up to the prem, perhaps a cheap and better replacement?
mattnufc
Dec 5, 2010 at 12:40 PM
Comment #5Apparantly Barton is out today, same line-up as last week predicted.
roblee7
Dec 5, 2010 at 12:43 PM
Comment #6thats a shame mattnufc….just when he’s picking up some form! U know where the hell xisco and leon best are these days? If injured, when are they back? Not that these 2 will save our season, just the more players we have fit the better for the squad!
mattnufc
Dec 5, 2010 at 12:46 PM
Comment #7I dno about them roblee sorry!
Ciaran Thomas
Dec 5, 2010 at 12:48 PM
Comment #8Who is saying this like,Matt ?
Ciaran Thomas
Dec 5, 2010 at 12:59 PM
Comment #9Leon Best was on bench last week.
kevymartins
Dec 5, 2010 at 5:25 PM
Comment #10We miss oba we miss oba we miss oba We miss oba
WE MISS OBAFEMI MARTINS!!!
what a signing he wud be on jan