Hughton: Newcastle must improve away days

Feb 13 2010 by Stuart Rayner, The Journal

NEWCASTLE United take on Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium today determined to improve a poor away record which saw their lead at the top of the Championship overhauled this week.

But manager Chris Hughton does not want anyone to get too wrapped up in what is after all only half of the picture.

The Magpies have won none of their last six away games, culminating in Tuesday’s embarrassing 3-0 defeat to struggling Derby County.

It is a run which has seen them exit the FA Cup and surrender a lead at the top of the table which stood at eight points when the sequence began.

Hughton accepts it needs to be put right, but is conscious of not over-reacting with his team only second on goal difference, with a game in hand on leaders West Bromwich Albion.

More importantly, they remain four points ahead of third-placed Nottingham Forest, who have also played a game more.

Winning the title would be good for damaged Newcastle pride, but earning promotion is all that really matters to Hughton.

“There’s always concern when you don’t get the points you want to get,” he said. “We’re playing in a very tough league and we know our home record is going to be better than our away record. I can probably speak for every manager on that count. But we now need to start picking up more points away from home.”

What has really cost Newcastle the top spot they held for three months is West Brom rediscovering some consistency. Hughton sees their fluctuating fortunes as part of the ebb and flow of a Championship season.

“West Brom went through a spell where they weren’t doing so well at home and maybe there’s something in the individuals they’ve got which suits them away from home,” he said. “They’ve changed their shape of late. I think their first change was when they played against us, which was five in midfield.