Chris Hughton: I’m proud of so solid Magpies

Dec 26 2009 by Mark Douglas, The Journal

The transformation in Newcastle’s squad has been remarkable this season, with many tracing it back to the pre-season training camp in Dublin that galvanised the shell-shocked players.

Dressing room leaders like Alan Smith, Steven Taylor, Kevin Nolan and Steve Harper emerged from the gloom and urged their team-mates to either stick together or leave.

Some did the latter, but most resolved to stay and seek redemption for relegation by helping Newcastle back up at the first time of asking.

Hughton has proved an excellent facilitator in that regard, and although he came into the job with question marks surrounding his leadership abilities, his tactics and team selection have been largely flawless.

A solid Christmas would cement United in the driving seat for promotion and the defeat of Middlesbrough last weekend was the perfect way to kick off the festive period.

“The mood in the camp is very good but I think you would expect that with the way results have been going for us,” Hughton said.

“The Middlesbrough game was a big win – I don’t think it should be underestimated quite how big that was for us.

“They are a very good side despite the results that they’ve got recently and with it being a local derby as well, it meant a lot.

“It gives us something to build on going into the games over Christmas.” Meanwhile, Hughton has given a hint that he may not enter the January transfer market until later in the month – because good young Premier League players may still be made available.

“You are continually looking and assessing but this is also a period where it changes and a player that wasn’t available a while ago now becomes available,” he said.

“So it is something that will continually change and consequently that is why so much business is generally done in the last week of the month.”