Source: Northern_Echo
Hughton grateful for fans’ backing
CHRIS HUGHTON has received plaudits from within the game for keeping Newcastle United ahead in the Championship's promotion race; now the praise is heading his way from an unfamiliar source the fans.[LNB] With the Magpies cruising to a 13th home win from 17 league matches on home soil on Saturday, a large section of the Geordie support took the opportunity to acknowledge the tremendous job the manager has done at St James' Park this season.[LNB] Not since the days of playing with Glenn Hoddle at White Hart Lane has he heard his name sung in that way, and at first he hadn't realised the songs were aimed in his direction.[LNB] I didn't recognise the chants at first, someone had to tell me that it was me they were shouting for, said Hughton. It was nice, but what was nicer was that we won the game.[LNB] Occasionally I had my name sung during my playing days. What you have to remember is that I was in a Tottenham team with Glenn Hoddle, Steve Archibald, Garth Crooks, Ossie Ardiles, Steve Perryman, Ray Clemence, big names.[LNB] All I know is that it was an awfully long time ago that I had my name sung. It never upset me that others got the praise. I knew where I was as a player, with big-name players in a team around me.[LNB] You are aware of your qualities and you will never have the profile that some of the other names have.[LNB] But this was nice. I can honestly say, though, that it's not something that concerns me. It's about the team. The fans have turned up, 45,000 of them, in this climate, after a game in midweek, that is superb. It's really outstanding.[LNB] The 45,252 crowd was the second highest in England on Saturday and the supporters' attitude towards Hughton is borne out of respect, knowing he has led Newcastle to the top of the Championship after a summer of turmoil under owner Mike Ashley.[LNB] Preston boss Darren Ferguson, the son of Sir Alex, feels Hughton deserves the credit he is now receiving.[LNB] Chris came in during an extremely difficult time with all of the goings on, said Ferguson. But he has brought stability to the club.[LNB] This is not an easy league to get out of.[LNB] People in football understand the good job he has done, it's a massive club where the expectations are huge. He has brought stability back and it's not just the individual players, it's the work ethic as well. It's a credit to him.[LNB] While Hughton may have earned respect from the fans, there was no such change of attitude towards vilified owner Ashley.[LNB] It has emerged that Ashley had to make an emergency £25m loan in December to keep Newcastle going, which has been offset against the second and final parachute payment from the Premier League in August.[LNB] The controversial Newcastle chief, who has failed on two occasions to sell the club and remains responsible, in many fans' eyes, for last season's relegation, continues to be mocked by the Tyneside support.[LNB] What you will always have from supporters is a passion to get behind the team and they are the ones that pay their money, said Hughton.[LNB] They are entitled to chant what they want. I just want them to get behind the team.[LNB] That's the most important thing. I don't know if it gets to him.[LNB] With an uninterrupted week to work through before Saturday's trip to Watford, Hughton is hoping to win for the first time in 2010 away from home to strengthen the promotion push. He is not, though, thinking about relaxing.[LNB] You never feel you can sit back and enjoy a game, even if we are two or three up,[LNB] said the Newcastle boss, who should have Nicky Butt and Jose Enrique available again on Saturday.[LNB]
