Source: Northern_Echo
Hughton springs another surprise
NEWCASTLE United boss Chris Hughton's talent for constantly flabbergasting the football world continued yesterday.[LNB] The modest Magpies manager has been in charge at St James' Park for a little over six months, and in that time he has been uncontroversial, cautious and calm personified.[LNB] But last week a little investigative journalism raised a few eyebrows when revealing Hughton used to pen a column for News Line, the daily newspaper of the Workers Revolutionary Party.[LNB] In essence the WPR, established by Leon Trotsky, believe in the principles founded by Marx, Engels, Lenin and, of course, Trotsky.[LNB] This week's revelation was not as contentious, but still impressive all the same.[LNB] The United chief confessed he had received an award from the United Nations for his work against apartheid in South Africa.[LNB] Newcastle supporters, however, may think he deserves the Nobel Peace Prize for giving the club a bit of stability after several years of controversy, treachery and tumult on Tyneside.[LNB] It would be deserved given that, with the minimum of fuss, he has taken United ten points clear at the top of the Championship going into the festive period.[LNB] I received a citation (from the United Nations) some years ago, admitted Hughton . It was at a time when apartheid was quite strong in South Africa.[LNB] I was offered an opportunity to go there on a few occasions.[LNB] A few players would go off there in the summer for big money. I was offered big money to go there but I turned it down.[LNB] But Hughton isn't the only one to be compensated for his sterling efforts.[LNB] The United boss has given his players time off on Christmas Day as a reward for their exceptional performances this term.[LNB] It is a terrific gesture, given that some players at the club have abused that trust in the past. A little under two years ago Joey Barton was caught on CCTV footage becoming engaged in a street brawl.[LNB] Hughton, however, has no fears there will be a repeat of such behaviour this year.[LNB] We'll train on Christmas Eve and probably do a bit more than we would usually,[LNB] revealed the former Tottenham boss, who believes Barton will return to training in two weeks.[LNB] But we did that last week before the Middlesbrough game and because of the conditions we knew we wouldn't be able to do much. We'll very much trust the players on Christmas Day, although we will travel (to Sheffield) on Christmas night anyway.[LNB] I have no problems of giving the players the day off at all. We trust the players. It is very much a family day and for what we would do anyway it is very minimal.[LNB] It is normal to train on Christmas Day. I've done it, and I've also known managers to give players the day off too.[LNB] Meanwhile, on loan defender Danny Simpson has, once again, pleaded with the powers that be to turn his temporary stay at St James' Park into a permanent one.[LNB] The 22-year-old's loan spell comes to an end on January 9, and with parent club Manchester United currently suffering from a defensive crisis it is feared Sir Alex Ferguson will take Simpson back to Old Trafford.[LNB] I'm happy here and if something can get sorted out then I'd like to stay, said the Salford-born full back, who has six months left on his Red Devils contract.[LNB] I've had no clues from Manchester United as I haven't spoken to them. I think my agent will start speaking to the two clubs soon and they'll sort it out.[LNB] I'd like it to be sorted out soon but sometimes these things take time.[LNB] It could take until the end of January, so I might go back then return here a couple of weeks later.[LNB] I've moved up here and I have some good friends in the squad and I'm loving it.[LNB] We're winning games and the whole place is full of confidence.[LNB] I want to stay and get them back into the Premiership.[LNB]
