Chris Hughton wants a quiet revolution

Nov 2 2009 by Luke Edwards, The Journal

It also, crucially, gives him the chance to plan for the long term and, having denied an interest in Sol Campbell in Saturday’s Journal, Hughton is busy drawing up plans for the January transfer window.

He said: “Probably there will be two changes. How people perceive me will be different perhaps. I am realistic enough to realise that there is a difference between a temporary tag and a permanent tag.

“Perhaps the main difference will be in terms of planning for the future. What is most important is the immediate future, but after that it is about the end of the season and the summer and about next season.

“The only difference when you are contacting other managers is that it is a permanent tag and anybody I am speaking to will perhaps see the opportunity as a definite rather than something that is a maybe or maybe not. They are probably the differences – how people perceive the role. I have not noticed any difference as far as the players are concerned.” Hughton hopes that, despite the unpopular decision by Ashley to take the club off the market last week, and the subsequent anger provoked by plans to sell the name of St James’s Park to the highest bidder, the fans will continue to stick by the team.

He added: “It is massively important that the club is united. Ultimately that is what everyone wants. We want a team that is doing well and a group of supporters that are behind the team.

“What would be my message to the fans that barrack Mike Ashley? It would be that the team is the most important thing.”