NUFC friendly with Terriers turns into a dogfight

Jul 22 2009 by Mark Douglas, The Journal

CHRIS Hughton admits he is now planning as if he will be in charge of Newcastle United at the start of the Championship campaign - as he begins to consider "all eventualities".

Caretaker boss Hughton oversaw United’s third straight pre-season win – a 1-0 victory over Huddersfield that was notable for a mass 20-man brawl at half-time instigated by Habib Beye and scuffles at the end of the game between Fabricio Coloccini and the Terriers’ former Gateshead forward Lee Novak.

And while Hughton still believes that he will be replaced before the start of the season, he has now begun working under the assumption that he will be in charge when United kick off their campaign in less than a fortnight.

With takeover talk having gone distinctly quiet over the last two weeks, Hughton’s attitude seems like common sense. But it will hardly appease United fans, who again chanted for manager-in- waiting Alan Shearer during a feisty encounter at the Galpharm Stadium.

Newcastle’s plans have already suffered a setback with the news that Nicky Butt will miss the start of the season with a broken hand.

And while Hughton admits that is a severe blow, he says he will not be asking Mike Ashley for permission to start bringing in new players.

"As you get towards the last few games of pre-season, you have to start getting a possible starting line-up in mind. You have to do that," Hughton said.

"I have to cover all eventualities. I’m still under the opinion that at some stage, someone will come in and a new

manager will take over. It will then be his responsibility. But until that happens, I have got to start planning for the start of the season."

At least Hughton is presiding over his best run of form in charge of United. The battling nature of last night’s victory, which followed hot on the heels of Saturday’s thumping 7-2 win at Darlington, also pleased Hughton.

The caretaker boss himself became embroiled in a 20-man brawl which began when Beye and Huddersfield skipper Peter Clarke exchanged words.