Reportage - 4/Feb/10
Hughton says Toon squad is good enough for promotion - Simon Bird, The Mirror
Chris Hughton has insisted Newcastle now have the squad capable of winning promotion.
The United boss declared himself pleased with his January transfer dealings this afternoon.
Newcastle brought in Leon Best, Mike Williamson, Danny Simpson and Wayne Routledge on permanent deals, while defenders Patrick Van Aanholt and Fitz Hall arrived on loan.
Those deals have left Newcastle in a stronger position ahead of a gruelling schedule of games.
Hughton’s table-topping men face Cardiff tomorrow night, and he said: “I am very satisfied with the business we have done. We have covered the areas we needed to and we still have the opportunity to use the loan system.
“As with most managers I am pleased the window is closed. I hope it is enough to see us through to promotion. We have a tight, good squad and one that has got us into the position we are.
“This is a period of games that will test the squads. We have seven games in a short period of time and we will be tested.”
Hughton is also confident £2million striker Leon Best will be a hit.
He said: “Best is a young player still at 23. He has experience, pace and strength. He knows where the goals is and he is young enough that we think we can continue to develop him.
“We need to keep a momentum. We have been a very solid outfit. Defensively as a team we have done well and we have also scored goals. You get to the stage when you have to win matches. We have striking options now having brought in Best. We have to win matches and that means putting away chances.
“Our players wanted to see fresh faces and some help for the squad. We have a lot of games to go. All the squads will be stretched and the new players will get their chance.”
Old boy Michael Chopra will return to St James’ with Cardiff with 16 goals to his name this season.
Hughton added: “We have no special plans for Chopra. He is a very good player with pace and finishing ability. We will have to defend well against him and nullify the supply he gets. Given chances he will score goals.
“Cardiff are rightly hopeful of promotion. They had a dip and have come through that. They have quality in the squad and two players who have scored a fantastic number of goals. And they have one of the best managers around.”
The United boss declared himself pleased with his January transfer dealings this afternoon.
Newcastle brought in Leon Best, Mike Williamson, Danny Simpson and Wayne Routledge on permanent deals, while defenders Patrick Van Aanholt and Fitz Hall arrived on loan.
Those deals have left Newcastle in a stronger position ahead of a gruelling schedule of games.
Hughton’s table-topping men face Cardiff tomorrow night, and he said: “I am very satisfied with the business we have done. We have covered the areas we needed to and we still have the opportunity to use the loan system.
“As with most managers I am pleased the window is closed. I hope it is enough to see us through to promotion. We have a tight, good squad and one that has got us into the position we are.
“This is a period of games that will test the squads. We have seven games in a short period of time and we will be tested.”
Hughton is also confident £2million striker Leon Best will be a hit.
He said: “Best is a young player still at 23. He has experience, pace and strength. He knows where the goals is and he is young enough that we think we can continue to develop him.
“We need to keep a momentum. We have been a very solid outfit. Defensively as a team we have done well and we have also scored goals. You get to the stage when you have to win matches. We have striking options now having brought in Best. We have to win matches and that means putting away chances.
“Our players wanted to see fresh faces and some help for the squad. We have a lot of games to go. All the squads will be stretched and the new players will get their chance.”
Old boy Michael Chopra will return to St James’ with Cardiff with 16 goals to his name this season.
Hughton added: “We have no special plans for Chopra. He is a very good player with pace and finishing ability. We will have to defend well against him and nullify the supply he gets. Given chances he will score goals.
“Cardiff are rightly hopeful of promotion. They had a dip and have come through that. They have quality in the squad and two players who have scored a fantastic number of goals. And they have one of the best managers around.”