Source: Northern_Echo
Healthy competition makes Hughton’s job easier
CHRIS HUGHTON insists Newcastle United's stunning win at Chelsea in the Carling Cup should offer a reminder to every member of his first team squad that they can be dropped.[LNB] Newcastle defeated the Premier League champions despite making ten changes to the team that started the 1-0 win at Everton five days earlier.[LNB] Tomorrow Hughton is expected, largely, to revert back to the starting line-up which began that match at Goodison Park, when Hatem Ben Arfa struck a delightful winner to lift Newcastle up to sixth.[LNB] But the Magpies boss is now more certain than ever he has the players at his disposal to tinker when he feels it is necessary, with the likes of Alan Smith, Haris Vuckic and Shola Ameobi all likely to start on the bench against Stoke tomorrow.[LNB] We are always trying to get the balance right in the dressing room, said Hughton, who has James Perch available again after suspension. We have brought new players in and when those changes are made you want those players to perform in that position.[LNB] At the moment we're in quite a healthy position regarding options, as was shown on Wednesday night with that win over Chelsea. It hasn't been a hard few days for me in terms of selection. I think it is always harder if you've lost the two games before.[LNB] That's when it's really tough.[LNB] There is more going on in your mind about whether you need to change things. It is always more welcome to have selection problems when you're winning. What we have done with that win is remind everyone they can be dropped.[LNB] Hughton, however, has been in this position before this season. After the euphoria that arrived on the back of the 6-0 victory over Aston Villa, Newcastle went on to lose at home to Blackpool, having drawn at Wolves.[LNB] That is why Hughton, knowing how Stoke manager Tony Pulis will have his team set up at St James' Park, is taking nothing for granted.[LNB] It's important we remember what happened against Blackpool, he said. I'd actually settle for the amount of goalscoring opportunities we had against Blackpool, but of course it was a game we lost.[LNB] We've got to guard against being too confident. We're coming off the back of two very good wins and we have to be at our best again on Sunday.[LNB] We've won two games we were perhaps expected to lose, but this is a game where we are at home and there will an expectancy for us to win. But these are the things we must get used to in such a tough division, the highs and the lows.[LNB] Rory Delap's long throws have been a hallmark of Stoke's play since they gained promotion to the Premier League, but Hughton thinks they have a new man worth keeping an eye on now, former Sunderland striker Kenwyne Jones.[LNB] Hughton said: There is more to Stoke than a physical presence. It is perhaps a little bit unfair on them. Some things are fact, they are very good at set-plays and from Rory Delap's throws.[LNB] But they also have some good footballers. You can't become an established team in the Premier League without them.[LNB] They are a big side and they play a fairly direct game with the players they have, but there is quality there.[LNB]
