We must assume control, says Hughton

Nov 15 2008 by Luke Edwards, The Journal

CHRIS Hughton is adamant he and interim manager Joe Kinnear have to assume they will still be in control of the Newcastle team when the January transfer window opens despite the constant threat of a takeover.

United owner Mike Ashley still hopes to sell the club before the end of the year, although despite plenty of reported interest in the club, no firm offer has been made.

Kinnear decided not to speak to the media ahead of this afternoon’s clash with Wigan as he wanted to take a look at a potential transfer target in person, with a suggestion he had flown to Germany to watch Hannover play Bochum in the Bundesliga. Hughton argued it was right for everyone employed by the Magpies – including the unpopular executive director (football) Dennis Wise – to assume the club will not be sold rather than have to panic if a buyer does not materialise.

He said: “With Joe’s position, one thing that will remain is that the team has to win games, we have to improve as a team and do the best we can. We have to be made aware of the best players available. We need to be in a position and a certain amount of work needs to be done.”

United desperately need all three points at home to Wigan following their 2-1 defeat at Fulham last weekend, a result which saw them drop back into the bottom three after back-to-back home wins against West Brom and Aston Villa.

But Hughton revealed players who once appeared to fear playing at home because of the pressure on them to succeed have started to relish playing in front of their own supporters.

He said: “Apart from the top five clubs, who don’t lose at home, every club always go through a period that is difficult to win at home, the anxiety settles in. At the moment there is a very good feeling about playing at home and a good feeling about winning every game. There’s a confidence now and the opposition will know it is a difficult place to come.”

Meanwhile, the club have announced they will be selling 10-game part season tickets for the remainder of the campaign. Tickets start with the visit of Liverpool on December 28, with prices from as little as £60 in the family enclosure for Under-16s with accompanying adults charged £180.