Hughton: Ugly football but we’re sitting pretty

Aug 20 2009 by Mark Douglas, The Journal

Hughton also said Ameobi was “full of confidence” after his hat-trick performance on Saturday.

“I thought it was a wonderful finish. He struck the ball very early,” he said.

“If you’re a striker and you’re on the back of a hat-trick, it gives you tremendous confidence.”

Hughton’s performance as caretaker boss has aided his claims to the job permanently – and he says that he would take the job if offered it by Mike Ashley.

The United owner was not in attendance last night as he continues negotiations with Tyneside businessman Barry Moat. But Hughton, who said he is hopeful of bringing players in and not losing more players before the transfer window, is happy to keep going if asked. “I will continue for as long as they want me to,” he said.

“But nothing has changed. If the club is sold I might get a knock on the door and told things will change.

“I have enjoyed the challenge so far and I’m very happy to continue otherwise. It is very nice to hear players (like Shola) saying they want me to continue on. I would be very, very happy to take it on longer than first thought.”

There was further positive news on the injury front with confirmation that Nicky Butt will return for the Crystal Palace game.

Meanwhile, former Spurs defender Graham Roberts has claimed his Fans 401 consortium will today meet Derek Llambias to discuss a £100m buy-out.

Roberts insists his group are serious contenders but his admission that they do not know the size of United’s debt casts serious doubt on their claims.

‘We are called Fans 410, it is some people I know who want to buy a football club and we have approached Newcastle and we have a meeting with the chairman and that is where we are at the moment,” he said.

‘We have to find out what the debt is. The bottom line is no one knows what the debt is and when we talk to the chairman tomorrow we can take it from there but we are very keen.”