Hughton: We have to keep our stars

Oct 17 2009 by Luke Edwards, The Journal

“They keep a keen interest in the football side of things. I have spoken to them, yes. Just really on team issues and of course they’re delighted to see where we are at this stage of the season. I do speak to them but probably the bonus that I have is that I have a job to be getting on with. I probably don’t want to concern myself too much with everything else that’s going on above me, probably for the simple fact that it’s something different every day, every week.

“If I look at where we are at this moment in time, the players that I’ve wanted to come in have come in so, from that side of things, I have no complaints.”

Meanwhile, Shearer continues to monitor the situation at St James’s Park closely, although he admits he has other interests which mean he is not desperately seeking news on the takeover.

He said: “I can’t revolve my life around that any more because I have other things going on. If it happens, it happens, and if it doesn’t, it doesn’t.

“For now, good luck to whoever is doing the job. And at the moment Chris Hughton is doing a great job.

“They’ve had a great start to the season. I think without any doubt everybody would have taken the position they are in now.

“So if they can build on that, then it will be great.”