Source: SKY_Sports
Hughton rues dropped points
Chris Hughton felt Newcastle were unfortunate to only emerge with a draw after their trip to Hull City.[LNB] The Magpies were held 1-1 by their fellow Premier League strugglers at the KC Stadium.[LNB]The result sees Newcastle climb a place to 16th, but they remain level on points with the two sides directly below them - Portsmouth and Stoke.[LNB]Every point is a step towards safety at this stage of the season, but Hughton insists the performance of his side on Saturday was deserving of more.[LNB]"We're disappointed we didn't get three," he told Sky Sports.[LNB]"I think having given a poor goal away first half we were delighted to get back on even terms. But we felt the way we conducted ourselves second half was like a team that wanted to go for a win rather than settle for a draw. [LNB]"I think at that stage Hull had settled for a draw. So, yes, we are disappointed but we didn't show enough quality in the areas that mattered.[LNB]DifficultHe added: "I'm disappointed that we can't get the points we desperately need to get us away from that group of teams at the bottom of the league. [LNB]"I think we can take something from the fact that we have come to a very difficult place and got a point, and other results have gone quite well for us, but we are still disappointed."[LNB]Newcastle now have nine games in which to secure their top flight status, with Hughton aware of the challenges that lie ahead.[LNB]"I don't think it's about pressure, there are now another nine games, but we realise the situation we are in and if we don't get results it is going to be a dogfight through until the end of the season. The quicker we can get those points the better," he said.[LNB]"We know where we are, we have 27 points to fight for and it is going to be equally as tough for all the teams around us."[LNB]Meanwhile, interim coach Hughton also revealed that Joe Kinnear could return to the St James' Park hot-seat by the middle of April.[LNB]"We're not quite sure, but reports from those in the know suggest somewhere around the Stoke or Spurs game," he said.[LNB]
