Source: Northern_Echo
Hughton fears for future
IN a week when it was claimed Newcastle United are still losing £500,000 a week in the Championship, Chris Hughton heads for Vicarage Road today suggesting Watford's financial plight offers further evidence that the time has come for change.[LNB] The future of the Hornets remains uncertain, even though major shareholder Lord Michael Ashcroft is said to be still committed to ensuring the club has a stable future.[LNB] Lord Ashcroft loaned Watford Leisure £4.3m in December and has offered more to sort out the club's crippling debts, which has been threatening to send them into administration.[LNB] The Watford situation offers a reminder of the perilous state English football finds itself in at the moment, with Portsmouth's fall into administration yesterday highlighting the sorry state.[LNB] Newcastle could easily have gone a similar way, with owner Mike Ashley fortunate to see Hughton lead the team to the top of the Championship after reducing the wage bill by around £30m since relegation.[LNB] But with the cost of wages still standing at around £40m per annum, a failure to claim promotion this season would heighten financial concerns at St James' Park, with Ashley needing to loan the club £25m back in December.[LNB] Hughton is concerned about the direction football is heading in, and has called for management at clubs across the country to continue to take steps towards more sensible spending.[LNB] We all have to be wary because there are more and more clubs being mentioned as each week goes past, said Hughton. It will be a real sad, grave day when a club goes out of business.[LNB] Whether that will be what it takes for everyone to take stock I don't know but it's troubled times with clubs in financial difficulties.[LNB] Some clubs will find it difficult to get out of the situation they find themselves in.[LNB] Times have changed.[LNB] Some clubs are getting less coming through the turnstiles and their turnover has changed dramatically.[LNB] How they can get out of it I don't know, but it's a warning for clubs.[LNB] I don't know if wage caps are the way forward, that's always a hard one.[LNB] The most important thing is how a club manages its finances.[LNB] There will be a four or five big club scenario who'll be able to bring in the big players with financial clout but outside that everyone will have to live within their means.[LNB] The recent suggestion from inside St James' Park has been that Newcastle are losing £500,000 a week, but Hughton is still managing to keep his squad on track for the top-flight.[LNB] The Magpies are six points ahead of third place before this afternoon's game, and that is all Hughton is concerned with.[LNB] Of course I'm aware of some of the financial situations we have here.[LNB] I know we have an incredibly large wage bill at this club, he said.[LNB] It's my job to look after the team, to do my best with them and to try to get them promoted.[LNB] There will be financial issues around that, that I won't be aware of.[LNB] With a further year remaining on his contract beyond this season, Hughton is satisfied he has been given sufficient backing from Ashley and managing director Derek Llambias to do his job.[LNB] While he would be willing to consider any suggested changes from above, the Newcastle boss also feels the boardroom members are more than willing to back him on his own decisions.[LNB] Most managers have to adapt and work with whatever the structure is at the club.[LNB] At the moment we don't have that structure here. I can only work within the boundaries that exist, he said.[LNB] My backroom staff is less than we've had in previous times at the club.[LNB] But it's not such a consideration if we don't get to where we want to get to. Our focus has to be to achieve something first.[LNB] What I did ask for in the transfer window was support from upstairs and I was able to get that.[LNB] My position as manager is to make decisions on what I want in, whether that's players or staff, and they've been very good on that.[LNB]
