Source: Daily_Mail
Northern Exposure: Why finding a No 2 for Hughton should be the No 1 priority for Newcastle
So Carlo Ancelotti and Avram Grant think they've got problems with their No 2s. Well spare a thought for Chris Hughton.[LNB]The loss of Ray Wilkins to the Chelsea manager is well documented, just as West Ham assistant manager Zeljko Petrovic's departure from Upton Park attracted unwanted news for the troubled Grant last week. But in both cases at least the clubs, and presumably the managers, acted quickly to bring in a replacement. [LNB]Colin Calderwood left Newcastle as Hughton's assistant to join Hibernian as their manager on October 18. And Hughton is still waiting to name his successor.[LNB] Helping hand: Newcastle boss Chris Hughton speaks with his goalkeeping coach Paul Barron[LNB] More from Colin Young... NORTHERN EXPOSURE: Newcastle pair Coloccini and Williamson pay for their moments of madness but Campbell and Taylor should fill the hole nicely23/11/10 NORTHERN EXPOSURE SPECIAL: Tony Mowbray looks to homegrown talent to get Boro out of the mire20/11/10 Northern Exposure: Steve Bruce and Sunderland saying sorry in the best possible way after their derby horror show16/11/10 Northern Exposure: Who'd be a manager... or even a Sunderland fan!01/11/10 Northern Exposure: Too close to call as derby fever hits Tyneside26/10/10 Northern Exposure: Mowbray is fans' favourite, but Gibson can't get it wrong19/10/10 Colin Young: Is Hughton the man to replace Trap as Ireland boss?12/10/10 Colin Young: Strachan hits the crossroads as Boro cling to dream05/10/10 VIEW FULL ARCHIVEHughton is well practised in the art of not giving much away, which, frustratingly, is exactly the opposite of every single one of his predecessors.[LNB] Then again that list does include Kevin Keegan, Sir Bobby Robson, Graeme Souness, Sam Allardyce, Ruud Gullit and of course Alan Shearer. Even Kenny Dalglish was at his relaxed best by the time he left.[LNB]For weeks he has been reassuring fans he is happy with the situation and he has been working with goalkeeping coach Paul Barron and new academy coach Steve Stone who have no doubt been taking on many of the essential responsibilities taken away from the manager on match days. (Although does anyone know what an assistant manager really does?)[LNB]It is clearly a vital role and history tells us, managers like to work with men they trust and they have selected. And if Hughton had found the man he wanted for the role, surely he would have been appointed by now.[LNB]He was asked this week how the hunt was going and just how hard it is to cope without such an important lieutenant.[LNB]`There has been no progress at all,' he said. And to the second question, he added: `Where we are at the moment, I'm working with Paul Barron, the goalkeeping coach and Steve Stone who had been brought up from the academy to assist Peter Beardsley. It's one that we get on with and have to get on with the situation as it is. Hopefully something will be resolved.'[LNB]I don't know what more Hughton can do to get the public acknowledgment from his employers that he is doing a fantastic job. He should have a new contract and he should have an assistant manager.[LNB]Yes, there have been blips along the way this season. Where the performance and result at Bolton came from is a complete mystery, even if they have had a few dodgy performances at home, too.[LNB]They have lost and struggled to the sides they need to beat at St James' Park to achieve their No 1 goal, which is survival. [LNB]Thankfully, although it is a major frustration to manager and supporters, they won at Arsenal and Everton, thrashed Aston Villa at home, and held the champions (who they also beat in the Carling Cup). Oh and they also gave Sunderland the spanking of a lifetime which supporters, and the board, will remember to their dying days.[LNB]Unlike so many of his contemporaries,Hughton never takes on his board publicly and bats away any suggestion of unrest within the club. It is a skill he had to master when he guided the club and players through the embers of relegation from summer 2009 and all the horrendous publicity theirdemise attracted. That it was temporary earned Hughton the job.[LNB]Steve Clarke has been mentioned as a possibility but he was on more money than Hughton at West Ham as Gianfranco Zola's right-hand man. [LNB] Prized asset: Newcastle may struggle to hold on to Andy Carroll for much longer[LNB]Brian Kerr seemed a viable alternative, so too Kevin Sheedy. Stone, Barron and Peter Beardsley are on the staff but Hughton has been in the game for years. Football men like him pick up contacts and confidantes along the way. He must know who he would prefer. [LNB]The stalemate can't be good for him, despite the excellent result against Chelsea, and it needs to be resolved. There is then of course the issue of his contract, although the club seem steadfast in sticking to the New Year to re-open talks. [LNB]Newcastle 5 Sunderland 1 would earn most Newcastle manager the freedom of the city, but Hughton must wait until January for his deserved reward of a deal beyond the end of the season. [LNB]January brings enough problems with the re-opening of the transfer window. Newcastle need a little tinkering, and a couple of shrewd reinforcements to see them through the remaining months, ideally with a defender, winger and striker. [LNB]Not much to ask really but the discovery of Hatem Ben Arfa before his horrendous injury is encouraging and proof that the club's scouts can spot a player.[LNB]Sacrifices may have to be made - Steven Taylor and Alan Smith come to mind - but all of Tyneside will be praying Andy Carroll is not to be included in that list. He doesn't at the moment, of course, but what if, a £20million bid is slapped on Mike Ashley's table?[LNB]Very interesting times ahead for Newcastle. And Hughton deserves to be the man in charge to guide the club through them. [LNB] Explore more:People: Hatem Ben Arfa, Graeme Souness, Mike Ashley, Chris Hughton, Kevin Keegan, Andy Carroll, Sam Allardyce, Kenny Dalglish, Brian Kerr, Gianfranco Zola, Bobby Robson, Steven Taylor, Alan Shearer, Alan Smith, Carlo Ancelotti, Colin Calderwood Places: Newcastle
