Walking in a Hughton Wonderland?
Posted on December 11th, 2009 | 105 Comments |
Yet rarely, if ever, do we all agree on something, but are we approaching a time when we can all just about agree on one thing? Chris Hughton is indisputably ‘making a silk purse out of a sow’s ear’. Regardless of the quality in the division, regardless of the undeniable expectation we should have of our highly-paid stars to perform, Chris Hughton has stood up and been counted this season, and has not been found wanting.
By no means do I always agree with what Louise Taylor has to say but her article in the Guardian is excellent. In it, she suggests the contradiction of a number of skewed (mis?)perceptions, during Hughton’s recent tenure and explores how he is quietly going about his job and getting results in spite of the protracted sideshows constantly arising to trip him up along the way.
One of the perceptions is that a manager with little profile and on such a modest salary, can command the respect of this playing staff. The results this season speak for themselves, but so too do the way in which he has dealt with adversity. Adversity being the ongoing ‘sale saga’ (yes, I know we’re ‘not for sale anymore’, apparently…), adversity being Joey Barton and his unusual behaviours, adversity being ‘the Blu Bambu incident’, adversity being the way he has transformed a lacklustre, de-motivated squad into a machine that looks destined for promotion at the first attempt.
Hughton has managed to arrange his troops, such that he has the egos and leaders helping to lead the line, in the dressing room, on the pitch and in dealing with the media. Another perception is that even in spite of the false impression that most Newcastle fans are ‘anti-South’, Hughton is helping to illustrate that ‘outsiders’ are, in fact, welcome this side of the Tyne. Without constanly spewing forth empty platitudes, his relationsip with the fans is subtly blossoming.
A refreshing change also to the perception that defenders cannot defend for toffee once they commit to life as a Magpie. Four clean sheets on the trot and twelve overall this season, suggest otherwise. Chris Hughton and his able assistant Colin Calderwood can be proud of that turnaround, despite the probability that this is in part due to the difference in the challenge our defence has so far encountered.
It’s that time of year and the borrowed tune is relevant, and supporters should be in generous mood. The ‘Walking in a [insert name] Wonderland’ song has taken on increased reverence since the passing of the late, great Sir Bobby Robson and his version is still sung at games. So to bestow that tradition upon Chris Hughton, would be a big indication that he has finally been accepted by the majority and that the masses believe in him (with or without the significance of his relationship with the reviled current board). It may not be long before we hear a rendition, and perhaps it is due?
And of course a Happy Birthday for today, to Mr Hughton, sharing it with my best friend and best man. I’ll raise a glass to both at my work’s Christmas ‘do’ today and we can only hope that they celebrate with another black and white victory tomorrow at Oakwell.
NUFCBlog Author: bowburnmag
bowburnmag has written 234 articles on this blog.
well you cant deny he’s done a canny job for a bloke being paid 5 grand/week …. but if i was in his position i’d get the team promoted then walk away because next season his reputation as a manager will be in tatters when the wins turn to losses due to little or no investment from fatter belly gutbucket.
..aye git yoursel a proper job next season chris.