Sheffield Wednesday will be acid test – Hughton
Aug 19 2009 by Mark Douglas, The Journal
CHRIS Hughton has warned that Newcastle United cannot afford to get carried away by their excellent start to the Championship season.
An unbeaten opening couple of games have raised hopes that United can have a real crack at getting back into the Premier League at the first time of asking – with the emphatic 3-0 victory over last season’s third-placed finishers Reading raising expectations even higher.
While Hughton is delighted at the start, he feels that the players and supporters should not be fooled into thinking that life in the second tier will be a walkover.
Indeed, United will probably get a more telling examination of their Championship credentials from Sheffield Wednesday tonight. While West Brom were relegated from the top flight along with Newcastle and Reading are only in their second season back in the second tier, Wednesday have been in the lower divisions since relegation in 2001.
Hughton believes this will be a big test for his revitalised United charges.
“I do believe that this squad is capable of preparing right and having a good Championship season,” he said.
“But we know that we will be tested and we can’t underestimate how difficult this league is. We can go about our business in the correct way but we should not be under any illusions – this is going to be a very, very tough season.
“It has not surprised me that we have started well but we’re only two games into the season and we’ve got to remember that. We have gained confidence from those first two games but there is a long way to go yet. The most important thing for us as staff – and for the players themselves – is to keep ourselves in the best possible position to get back into the Premier League.”
With doubts over the fitness of Joey Barton, Hughton has added Danny Guthrie to the squad for tonight’s clash with the Owls.
The midfielder returns after an ankle injury and hopes to help Newcastle continue their positive moves in the right direction.
“I’m back fit and hope to be in the squad tomorrow. It’s been frustrating to miss out the start of the season but the main thing is the team has performed well,” he said.
“The mood is good and winning is a habit. Sheffield Wed are an established Championship club and have good experienced players – we expect a tough win but we should win at home. It’s been a winning start and we’ve looked good.
“The midfield have played well but they should do – Newcastle’s a massive club and we’ve got some big names so we should look to win every game and play good football.”
United are expected to hand Danny Simpson a debut if, as expected, Barton is ruled out. And Guthrie expects big things from his former Manchester United Academy colleague.
“I know him from years back when we were in the United youth team,” he said.
“We are pleased to have him because we need the bodies and he’s a good player. I’m comfortable recommending the club to players thinking of coming here. If the club had asked me, I’d have said ‘get him’ because I know what he can do, and on top of that he’s a good lad.”
