Mental strength is key to success says Hughton

Feb 5 2010 by Luke Edwards, The Journal

CHRIS Hughton is convinced Newcastle United have the mental strength, as well as the ability, to win promotion as he shrugged off the growing concern surrounding the quality of his team’s performances since Christmas.

Newcastle have stuttered their way through January without producing a convincing display to back up their promotion credentials and have enjoyed just one league victory since December 20 even though their unbeaten record has been stretched to 14 matches.

With West Bromwich Albion winning 3-2 at Blackpool on Wednesday night, United’s lead over third place has been slashed to just four points, and they desperately need a win against in-form Cardiff City – and their former Newcastle striker Michael Chopra – tonight to settle any nerves.

But Hughton remains as a calm and collected as ever as he argued his six transfer window signings would give the squad fresh impetus as they look to make an immediate return to the Premier League.

“I do believe we can handle the pressure and that can only be based on what I see here,” said Hughton, who revealed it was his decision to keep the number nine shirt vacant this season as he wants one of his strikers to earn the privilege for the next campaign.

“We’re in a position we’ve not experienced before in this league.

“There’s pressure at the top and it’s something we’ve had to cope with each week for the whole season.

“There’s no doubt Newcastle going anywhere is arguably the biggest draw in this division.

“I can only say from what I see that we’re able to cope with that.

“I feel that because of the way we’ve handled the season so far, going to tough places and getting results. We’re still top with a game in hand of both Forest and West Brom.