Newcastle can handle pressure of Championship title chase, says Chris Hughton

05 February 2010 11:09
Hughton has backed his charges to remain calm as they set their sights on restoring their six-point lead in the promotion race over the chasing pack when they take on fourth-placed Cardiff at St James' Park on Friday night. [LNB]Newcastle's lead was reduced to three points when West Bromwich Albion beat Blackpool 3-2 on Wednesday but Hughton is not becoming anxious as a return to the Premier League looms. [LNB]Newcastles Mike Ashley under pressure to bring in Terry Venables to avoid dropAnanda Krishnan denies Newcastle interestNewcastle in grave danger of being relagated as Arsenal run riot"Do I think we can handle the increasing pressure? Yes I do," Hughton said. [LNB]"What's that based on? It can only be based on what I see here. We're in a position we've not experienced before in this league. There's pressure at the top and it's something we've had to cope with each week for the whole season. [LNB]"There's no doubt Newcastle going anywhere is arguably the biggest draw in this division. I can only say from what I see that we're able to cope with that. [LNB]"I feel that because of the way we've handled the season so far, going to tough places and getting results, we're still top with a game in hand on both (third-placed) Nottingham Forest and West Brom. [LNB]"The same characteristics of what's got us so far are the same ones we're going to need to maintain." [LNB]Should his players fail to maintain the standards that have kept them at the top of the division for most of the season, Hughton will have no hesitation brandishing a big stick. [LNB]"I'd like to think the players see me as one who very much wants to be involved out on the training pitch and with the coaching but who has to make the tough decisions," he said. [LNB]"There will be lots of decision over the next few weeks. Over the last month you spend a lot of time on the phone dealing with other issues and the players will perhaps have seen that so my role slightly changes." [LNB]The transfer window may have closed but Hughton is already considering possible loan signings to bolster his club's promotion campaign. [LNB]"At this moment I'm comfortable with what we've got," Hughton said. [LNB]"But I'm obliged because of the position we're in you have to be aware of any opportunity in any position to bring players in because if you pick up injuries in certain positions that make you vulnerable of course you have to cover it so we'll keep an eye on it. [LNB]Centre-half Steven Taylor has suffered knee ligament damage and Hughton confirmed he will be out of action until the end of March. [LNB]Hughton said: "He's going to be probably going to be out certainly going into a couple of months. If I said d a couple of months from now that might be too long, I hope so. We're probably looking at the end of March." [LNB]

Source: Telegraph