Source: Northern_Echo
Magpies seeking a happy new year
NEW Year, new Newcastle United.[LNB] While 2009 was an annus horribilis that featured wrangling, rows and relegation, Chris Hughton insists everyone associated with the Magpies can look forward to 2010 with a renewed sense of optimism.[LNB] The current Newcastle boss was still in his former position of assistant to Joe Kinnear when Big Ben chimed to welcome the start of last year, but in the intervening 12 months, he has witnessed one of the most remarkable stories in English football unravel at first hand.[LNB] Joe Kinnear's heart problems, Alan Shearer's unsuccessful attempt to keep his beloved Magpies out of the Championship, Kevin Keegan's tribunal hearing, the controversy about naming rights at St James' Park. All front page news; all contributing to the sense of chaos that characterised 2009.[LNB] Just when it looked like things couldn't get worse, another crisis appeared around the corner, but as a new decade dawns, it finally looks as though Newcastle have achieved a semblance of stability that augurs well for the future.[LNB] They boast a six-point lead at the top of the Championship, a squad that appears more tightly-bonded than ever and a manager who eschews the limelight and controversy that dogged so many of his predecessors.[LNB] Newcastle being Newcastle, it could all collapse tomorrow.[LNB] But for the time being at least, 2010 opens on a positive note.[LNB] We certainly start the year with a lot more optimism,[LNB] said Hughton. 2009 had a bit of absolutely everything.[LNB] There was every emotion under the sun, with the overriding one obviously being the disappointment of going down in May.[LNB] We went through all sorts of things with Alan coming in and what happened to Joe at the start of the year as well, but then we've also had the start to the season that we've had in the Championship. It's been every emotion in one year, but I suppose that's football.[LNB] What we want to be saying in a year's time is that hopefully we're better for the experience.[LNB] But of course the only way we can be saying that is to achieve the ultimate goal of promotion.[LNB] Newcastle were in 14th position on New Year's Day 12 months ago, but in the eyes of many supporters, the rot set in from the moment the club became sellers during the January transfer window.[LNB] Shay Given and Charles N'- Zogbia had both disappeared by the time February arrived, and Mike Ashley's willingness to sell two of his leading assets was undoubtedly a key factor in the downward slide that eventually resulted in relegation.[LNB] This time around, Hughton is hoping to use the January window as a catalyst for some forward momentum, and that means signing players who can make an immediate impact on the club's promotion hopes.[LNB] There is a need to keep half an eye on the future, but by targeting the likes of Sheffield United defender Matt Kilgallon and Leeds striker Jermaine Beckford, Hughton is pursuing players who will help in the here and now.[LNB] The most important thing is addressing this season, he said. And I'm pretty confident that by the end of this window, we'll have added to the quality of player we have here.[LNB] We can talk all we want about bringing in the right type of player for next season, but at the moment we're in the Championship and we have to make sure we get out of that division. If I add the right type of player to the squad, that's going to help in our quest to do that.[LNB] While an initial £1.25m offer for Beckford was rejected earlier this week, Newcastle officials remain hopeful of completing deals for both the Leeds striker and Kilgallon within the next seven days.[LNB] Leeds will find it hard to turn down a £2m offer for a player who is free to leave for nothing in the summer, and Hughton is confident that Magpies owner Mike Ashley will provide the funds he needs to land his two leading targets.[LNB] I've been told from above that I'll get all the support I need or want, he said. You have to be mindful of the future but, at the moment, it would be fair to say that the large majority of our thoughts are on what we can do this season.[LNB]
