Source: PA
Survival total always on Hughton's mind
Newcastle boss Chris Hughton admits the points total which will keep his side in the Barclays Premier League is never very far from his mind.
The Magpies took their tally for the season to 17 with Sunday's fine win at Arsenal, an excellent return from their first 11 league fixtures and one it took them 17 games to reach and surpass during their last, ultimately disastrous top-flight campaign.
Victory over Blackburn at St James' Park would see them reach the 20-point mark, halfway to the accepted finishing line for survival.
Hughton has been in the game long enough to know not to take anything for granted and that things could change quickly, but admits reaching that target as quickly as possible is his overriding priority.
He said: "I am not sure about the halfway stage, but I would be lying if I didn't say that I am very conscious of the points total that will probably keep a team in this division.
"You are conscious of that and that is why every three points you get is so vitally important. Every three points is a really big three points."
