Source: Northern_Echo
Hughton will do a runner if Newcastle finish in top half
Hughton will do a runner if Newcastle finish in top half KNEE trouble has prevented Chris Hughton from taking part in tomorrow's 30th Great North Run, but he has promised to race next year if Newcastle United finish in the top ten.[LNB] Despite a morale-boosting 6-0 victory over Aston Villa, the Magpies remain a team very much hoping to stay clear of the relegation zone in their first season back in the Premier League.[LNB] Defeat to Blackpool at St James' Park reminded Tyneside that avoiding the drop back to the Championship will not be easy, although Hughton has been satisfied by plenty of his team's play.[LNB] After today's trip to Everton, Newcastle will return to the North-East in time to experience the atmosphere around the city for tomorrow's Great North Run.[LNB] Ideally Hughton would have ran the 13.1 miles from Newcastle to South Shields but long-standing knee niggles prevents him from doing so. He will, though, change that if Newcastle surpasses expectations in the top-flight this season.[LNB] Yes, you can put that on record, I will run next year if we get in to the top ten,[LNB] claimed Hughton. I could walk it and I could jog some of it. I've got a knee that allows me to do everything I need to do out on the training pitch, but I couldn't do it.[LNB] It's something I'd quite like to do and it's one of course I've known about for some time but a little problem with my knee restricts me from doing it.[LNB] For Newcastle to stand any chance of finishing in the top half, Hughton knows he needs the majority of his playing staff to find top gear.[LNB] One player who has failed to hit the Premier League alight so far has been Jonas Gutierrez, but his boss is convinced that he will come good sooner rather than later.[LNB] With all players you look at the qualities we have and we're very aware of the qualities he brings to the team,[LNB] said Hughton. Amongst that, there will be good games and bad games, that's the nature of the position he plays.[LNB] Wayne Routledge didn't have by his standards the best of games last Saturday against Blackpool and similarly he plays in a position that's an offensive position, where generally you'll be up and down more than your more stable centre-half and full-back positions. We're very aware of what Jonas brings to the team.[LNB] Gutierrez should retain his place at Everton today but Hughton thinks Hatem Ben Arfa, the loan signing from Marseille, will not take too long to push the attack-minded players at the club for a place.[LNB] Hughton said: He's come with a lot of enthusiasm, still one area that's always difficult when foreign players come is a real grasp of the language.[LNB] Ben Arfa has got an English teacher but the best way for any foreign player is being around the other players listening to the jokes, wind-ups and what have you.[LNB]
