Chris Hughton to focus on winnable games

Jul 21 2010 by Stuart Rayner, The Journal

CHRIS Hughton has revealed Newcastle United will target specific matches to glean the points needed to still be in the Premier League 12 months from now.

The Magpies manager has studied the success of both Birmingham City and Wolverhampton Wanderers, two sides who consolidated top-flight status after promotion from the Championship in 2009.

Hughton views that as the first step towards his long-term goal of re-establishing United as European competitors.

“At Birmingham and Wolves there were additions last season, but not dramatic,” he reasoned. “They weren’t so different to the squads the season before. Both attacked it differently, Birmingham got off to the better start and Wolves finished very, very strong.

“The way to approach it is knowing where the games are where you’re more hopeful of getting results.

“We are in a division where the top eight teams are very strong and very competitive. We’re realistic enough to know the games against the top teams will be very difficult home and away.

“But we also know there’s a group of teams we’re far more hopeful of getting results from home or away.” Wolves boss

Mick McCarthy got in trouble for employing that tactic, but no one at Molineux was complaining at the end of last season.

Wolves were handed a suspended £25,000 fine for fielding a weakened team at Manchester United in December, a game they lost 3-0. Even had they been forced to pay the amount, it paled into insignificance alongside the money earned through another Premier League campaign.

The midweek trip to Manchester was sandwiched between games at Tottenham and at home to Burnley, both of them won. The 2-0 win over relegation rivals Burnley featured nine players who faced Spurs but were rested against the Red Devils.

Although Wolves comfortably escaped relegation, finishing eight points clear of the Clarets, the home win undoubtedly gave them much-needed mid-season momentum.