Source: Telegraph
Newcastle focus on promotion and put off-field bust-ups to one side
With a potentially pivotal game against third-placed Nottingham Forest looming, Hughton is endeavouring to make sure that the off-field issues are not allowed to distract his players with the finishing line in the promotion race now in sight.[LNB]'At this particular moment all our issues are very much on winning the next football match which will be a very tough game against a very good side in Nottingham Forest on Monday night and all our focuses are on that,' Hughton said.[LNB]'We are 100 per cent focused on that game and getting the result that we want to get in that game and will continue to do so.'[LNB]'All we can do is focus very much on Monday's game and look to get the result that we need to get.[LNB]'I think that we have a big focus here on what we want to achieve this season and that is to get back up into the Premier League at the first go which is the best opportunity we will have and our focus is very much on what is happening on the football pitch.'[LNB]Hughton will pit his wits against Forest counterpart Billy Davies at St James' Park knowing that victory will put the Tyneside club on the brink of a return to the top flight following relegation last season.[LNB]'At this particular moment there are no frustrations,' Hughton added. 'We are a side that at this moment is top of the division although that might change today with West Bromwich Albion playing.[LNB]'I think that what happens over a period of a season is that we have to deal with lots if things. On the football pitch one thing that is always the most important thing is the ability to get points and win football matches fortunately for us we have won more than we have lost.'[LNB]Newcastle have confounded many sceptics this season and Hughton has admitted the club's progress since relegation has taken him by surprise.[LNB]'Come the start of the season I don't think it is unfair to say we were not sure what we would be up against,' Hughton added.[LNB]'We had a lot of changes in terms of personnel but I knew that the attitude of the lads would be good and would apply themselves well but where it would take us I wasn't sure. Am I delighted to be where we are? Am I surprised? More so delighted than surprised.'[LNB]
