We have to make amends – Hughton

Jul 29 2009 by Luke Edwards, The Journal

CHRIS Hughton has denied Newcastle United’s players are disillusioned by the turmoil surrounding the club – even though he has no idea whether they will still be at St James’s Park when the Coca-Cola Championship season begins.

Hughton, as ever, is trying desperately hard to put on a brave face, despite the 6-1 humiliation at the hands of Leyton Orient last weekend, and predicted a fitting reaction against Leeds United tonight.

But, while there have been many public and private displays of anger and frustration from players protesting against the club’s failure to appoint a permanent manager until a takeover is complete, as well as the strict embargo on transfers, Hughton does not believe there is a problem with motivation or commitment.

Instead, the caretaker boss is convinced the same players who were so poor against Orient will be determined to make amends against Leeds, a club whose plummet into League One is a stark reminder of the fate which may await Newcastle following their relegation from the Premier League. Hughton said: “I don’t think there is disillusionment in the camp. I don’t see that. We have made sure we stress to the players that none of us have any control over what is happening outside of the training ground.

“We don’t know what is going to happen in the future, but we have to make sure we do our jobs properly and prepare in the right way for games. I can’t control who is going to still be here, but I haven’t heard anything about anyone leaving either.”

Nevertheless, Newcastle’s affable first-team coach conceded that, given the debacle at Brisbane Road last weekend, it is actions rather than words which count.

Hughton added: “It wasn’t a proud moment for any of us at Leyton Orient. It was a very painful result, but in pre-season you get highs and lows and that was very much a low for everyone involved.