Source: SKY_Sports
Magpies to back Hughton
// A bit of a hack but it works// The article snippet is wrapped onto a second line, even when #article-sub is emptyif( $("div#article-sub").children().length == 0 ) {$("div#article-sub").remove();} Newcastle chief Derek Llambias insist they fully intend to back manager Chris Hughton in the transfer market.[LNB] The Magpies managing director has gone into detail about the club's financial pain they have gone through since relegation.[LNB]The lack of finances in the Championship was also the major reason behind their decision to look to rename St James' Park.[LNB]But despite the upheaval off the field, which has also seen owner Mike Ashley take the club off the market - they have insisted that funds could be available to expand the squad.[LNB]"We didn't fire sale. At the time the press were saying we needed to fire sale, but we didn't. We purposefully kept a nucleus of the team that we felt could take us up," said Llambias.[LNB]"It's working and we'll add to that - Chris will continue to add to the squad.[LNB]"If Chris identifies a player that we feel will add value, then we just may go out and buy him."[LNB]Llambias admits the club have struggled to come to terms with their lack of Premier League funding.[LNB]"It's been extremely painful - it was a shock, it was unthinkable," he said.[LNB]"We did have a business plan in place at the time that we just put into a cupboard, because we thought we never needed to use it. [LNB]"We've had to move on since then and it's given us an opportunity to bring the wages down to an acceptable level in the Premier League, but not in the Championship.[LNB]"We've dropped from £100m revenue to £50m. A good chunk of that is TV money from the Premier League - £40m. We get a parachute payment of £12.5m. [LNB]"In the Championship itself you get £2.4m income. You get a drop in your season tickets, attendance and retail - it all drops. That shortfall needs to be made up. Mike is picking the shortfall now and it's very, very difficult, but we're getting through it."[LNB]ImageLlambias and owner Mike Ashley are looking to turn-around the club's fortunes and image.[LNB]"It's very important that the negative press and negativity around the city needs to stop," he said. [LNB]"You need to concentrate on supporting the team. You may not like the administration but we're here, we're investing. [LNB]"We've made mistakes in the past but we are doing our best. If you get behind our team, your team, it's necessary. [LNB]"His vision [Mike Ashley] is that he's going to be here to take it back up the Premier League. I think that's his goal. [LNB]"Once we're back up there it's a review of where we again. He may want to take on a partner, I'm not sure - we've not had that conversation.[LNB]"(Getting back to the Premier League) is his total focus. It's all our focus - let's get back up to where we belong."[LNB]
