A vote of confidence? Or a statement of solidarity?

Posted on October 28th, 2010 | 104 Comments |

Hughton backed by board.
Hughton backed by board.
Much of the speculation surrounding Newcastle over the last week or so has been regarding the future of current manager, Chris Hughton.

Now let me go on record early in this article to say that I am fully behind Hughton and believe that in no way, shape, or form does he deserve to get the boot from the St James’ Park hotseat.

Anyway, most of this speculation has been dreamed up by a number of people in the press, with Newcastle “fan” Alan Oliver being one of the main culprits, as Workyticket highlighted in his excellent article entitled Alan Oliver desperately tries to keep Hughton sacking story alive. Sadly, that particular media bandwagon has gathered some pace in recent days and has led to certain betting markets being suspended. This has, of course, all been fuelled by the club dithering on making any official announcement on the future of Hughton, who only has a contract until the end of this season.

That official announcement came last night as the club released a statement regarding the future of Hughton. That statement read;

“Chris is our manager and will remain our manager, and it is our intention to re-negotiate his contract at the end of the year.”

That should, hopefully, quash the malicious rumours that have been gathering pace in recent weeks. Unfortunately though it appears that the speculation has changed direction a little bit with people calling the statement a “vote of confidence”.

I can see their point as it could easily be taken that way, but what is the club to do in such a situation? It is very much ‘catch-22’. The club could continue to say nothing and let the speculation roll on, or they could try to clarify it. They did that last night, but it hasn’t stopped the rumour. It has merely changed it’s direction a little.

Now I know that some people may say that all I am doing is adding a bit more fuel to the fire by publicising the rumours, but with so many media outlets quick to jump on the band-wagon I feel that I need to put across my alternative view – a view that Hughton won’t be sacked.

I just don’t believe that there is anyone out there who can come in and do what Hughton has done. Is there anyone else who could do a job similar to what Hughton has achieved with his hands tied up by financial constraints, as they have undoubtedly been? I don’t think there is…..

There have been some disappointing results so far this season, but the way that some people talk you would expect to see us firmly cut adrift at the bottom of the table and looking like relegation certs already. We aren’t, and there is still a long way to go this season.

I have already seen more fight from this team than I did in the team that got us relegated. This team won’t go down without a fight, and a large chunk of credit for instilling that fighting spirit in our players has to go to Hughton.

Hopefully this speculation will cease now, although I have my doubts.

NUFCBlog Author: toonsy toonsy has written 643 articles on this blog.

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Comment on this post

104 Responses

  1. Stop it!

    You know, there are much more interesting stories out there. For example, why has Xisco disappeared. Will Zamberela ever appear at all? Just what are the nature (medical name) of the injuries various NUFC players have? Why are not more of the youngsters out on loan yet?

  2. The club could just renegotiate a new contract for hoots right now and be done with the rumours once and for all. So why don’t they?

  3. No one is bigger than the club, and the club has important games coming up, as is every match this season, not negotiating a contract that could be dealt with in the summer.

    Safety first, contract second. Nee dramas.

  4. I agree with Ilove mike not negotiating a contract that could be dealt with in the summer will also act as a motivtor for the squad who all respect hoots and wantto keep him in the job, I personly think that MA is going to start review managermwnt contracts on a yearly basis to aviod another sam alldyce / kevin keegan situation and pay out large sums of compensation that have over time brought our club close to its knees,

    Hoots deserves a contract but wait until we are safe first its not going to bring the club to a stop if its not done before the end of the season

  5. I don’t think CH will get a new contract unless we start beating Teams at home.
    If we get turned over at the weekend I think the future will be looking Bleaker than ever for CH.

    If MA wanted CH long term he would have done what Man Utd did with Rooney pay the dough sign the deal and move on.

  6. ‘Hopefully this speculation will cease now’

    Not if ye keep dragging it through the mud, ffs!

  7. Chris Hughton should be given a 5 year contract and let him build and shape his team. We need stability. I firmly belive he is the man for the job.

  8. DJG – I see what you did there, quoting that without quoting;

    “Now I know that some people may say that all I am doing is adding a bit more fuel to the fire by publicising the rumours, but with so many media outlets quick to jump on the band-wagon I feel that I need to put across my alternative view – a view that Hughton won’t be sacked.”

    Now putting that fair bit in wouldn’t suit your agenda though would it…….

  10. I Love Mike says:
    October 28, 2010 at 1:05 pm
    No one is bigger than the club, and the club has important games coming up, as is every match this season, not negotiating a contract that could be dealt with in the summer.

    Safety first, contract second. Nee dramas.<<<<<agree t0sser :)

  11. I honestly believe that all this speculation comes as a result of not only the press but also from a fraction of the fan base that believe that bringing in the likes of Martin O’neil (example) will put us in european contention places!
    The internet is litered with little pieces demanding Hoots head! The term ‘deluded’ once again spings to mind…

  12. It’s like saying ‘Im sick of this rumour, I don’t agree with it, but Im gonna give it another broadcast.’

    It’s like me having an Indian chicken factory, you saying you only agree with ethical free range poultry, then giving my company a mention every day and an advert.

    Do you see where Im coming from? Cut it out all together otherwise they’ve won.

  13. Sorry to disagree, however there is the scenario that come XMAS we are midtable developing as a team and battling well in which case new contract, couple of singnigs no probs. However there is also a scenario where that isn’t happening, We continue to lose at home we are not getting the points, the team is struggling and the relegation dogfight is too close for comfort. In this scenario CH is out the door and JFK is back in til the end of the season.

    Now to be fair I am a fan of JFK he had a good record at Wimbledon and got more MotM awards than many big name managers. I also think he would have kept us up last time other than his health.

    To be clear though I would rather have the first scenario than the second, and I’m not convinced that had JFK kept us up we would have as rosy a future as we can see on the horizon with CH. I think that the season in championship with CH has put us in a better position that a season in the EPL with JFK would have.

    However if CH does fall flat on his Arsenal, then don’t despise JFK’s management ability.

  14. DJG says:
    October 28, 2010 at 1:41 pm

    “It’s like saying ‘Im sick of this rumour, I don’t agree with it, but Im gonna give it another broadcast.”

    Oh right……

    I must have missed the numerous articles I have writeen on this subject since that statement last night…….

    Oh, hang on.

    It’s because this is the forst one offering my view….

    As I say……. Agenda……

  15. I have watched NUFC for fifty years and winning cups have always been a priority because apart from the heady Keegan days our chances of winning the league have been very slim. I can`t believe that Hughton should throw away the chance of progress in the cup, by playing a weak team. I feel that he is negative and lacks tactical awareness. I thank him for what he has done for the club, but I think he has taken us as far as he can.

  17. Oh so there hasne’t been a poll on, ‘should Hughton get the sack’ for the last 2 weeks or something like that?

    Im not gonna argue with you, you will find a way to mince my words in your favour anyway.

  18. MA is not going to replace CH with Martin O’Neill or some expensive import. As I said before all that will happen is that we will get JFK back.

    mossa says:
    “I think he has taken us as far as he can.”

    Personally I think he can take us a fair bit forward yet. As to prioritising the league cup above relegation and the derby match, sorry I think CH got his priorities spot on.

  19. DJG – You aren’t going to argue with me because you can’t and are just making up shyte that I haven’t even done (Worky put the poll up, not me) to try and fit your agenda…..

    Mince that you c unt.

    And get your facts straight whilst you are it.

  20. Divint worry toonsy – I think DJG has his eye on Stew’s ‘twunt of the month’ trophy.

    He’s having a right go too by the looks of things lately. :lol:

  21. I must admit that I would be really sad if Hoots got the sack…. But I think replacing him with JFK would add insult to injury!

  24. batty says:
    Your comment is awaiting moderation.
    October 28, 2010 at 1:55 pm
    toonsy says:
    October 28, 2010 at 1:52 pm
    DJG – You aren’t going to argue with me because you can’t and are just making up shyte that I haven’t even done (Worky put the poll up, not me) to try and fit your agenda…..

    Mince that you c unt .

    And get your facts straight whilst you are it :lol:

  25. Nathndio you may well be right, but mikes not going to give a long term contract to a big name manager when he can get JFK on the basis of expenses and a bonus if we stay up.

  28. In the past how many of our managers have given up on the cup like Hughton did last night? Even Gullit and dalglish got us to Wembley!

  30. TC – I’m getting twitchy finger aye ;)

    All DJG does is spout shyte and try to apportion blame for things to people who haven’t done them. That doesn’t sit well with me. I don’t know whether he “gets” what this blog is about, but there is more than just the one writer, and we all have different thoughts on things.

    Now of course that isn’t like Ed’s where it id his hymnsheet that people are reading, yet DJG misses that point time and time again. If he wants to pin everything on the one person perhaps he should go back there.

    I mean he has admitted he is on here as a windup…… “stop biting ad I’ll stop” = WUM.

    Could do without it on here tbh……

  31. Yeah you’re right, mossa.

    Sack him – its the only way this club and its magnificent supporters can get what is rightfully ours! :roll:

  33. “Even Gullit and Dalglish got us to Wembley”

    Nowt to do with the favourable draws then……?

  34. I would hope this sacking tripe is the only rubbish the gutter press can come up with.Because now the Carroll story has gone quiet.I can see it doing more good! than harm on the team manager relationship.So let us show the feeling for BOTH! on Sunday.

  35. Cheers for the info Prem. Just wanted to see how many of the actual managers that have won were still in the EPL. And as much as I Hate to admit it I think that if Hoots went then MA would look for the No Frills cheap answer… :-(

  36. NOO NOO stop the fighting lads kna we got beat last night,we are oot of the cup,move on now, nee injurys thats good.
    look on the bright side we still have TOONSY to torment :)

  37. “Nowt to do with the favourable draws then……?”

    Thats being harsh…

    Stevenage, Ian Rush against Everton, Barnsley, Tranmere, Sheffield United, Crystal Palace, Bradford, Spurs under George Graham… :lol:

  40. Worky – The difference is that it took Kinnear 8 years at PL level to get his 4 awards. It took Mourniho just 3 to get his 3 :)

  41. Damn, you spoil all the fun.

    Hang on you forgot to mention their budgets. Sam Hamman makes MA look like Roman abranovfukicantspellit

  42. Thats the thing Ice, he thinks im a WUM with an agenda and thats all I come on here for. And then comes out with rediculous things like, ‘Idon’t think he gets that there’s more than one writer’. This was supposed to be a site where people could have an opinion without comments like.

    ‘DJG – I know everyone is entitled to their opinion but yours, as you have previously admitted, is so unqualified I feel obliged to pull you up for chatting shite.’

    ‘Mince that you c unt .’

    If thats the case I think its best I don’t come on here anymore and unlike toonsy throwing his toys on the floor im serious. Thanks to all the genuine posters who have good banter without taking it so serious, it is football after all.

  43. Favourable draw or not I can`t remember a manager giving up on the cup like hughton. We are a premiership side with a dedicated massive following all over the world, not a third rate outfit who has thirteen players to choose from. Get your act together Hughton or hand over to someone who can manage.

  44. toonsy says:
    October 28, 2010 at 2:34 pm

    “Worky – The difference is that it took Kinnear 8 years at PL level to get his 4 awards. It took Mourniho just 3 to get his 3”

    Aye Toonsy, but Mourinho had the most expensive band of mercenaries ever assembled outside of Royal Madrid, and Joe had Wimbledon. :-)

  46. Catch ya after, DJG – you won’t be missed! :lol:

    Oh, and by the way – one of them “quotes” you posted was me last night after 5 pints of Stella – but don’t let the facts get in the way of a good bitch, yeah. ;)

  47. DJG says:
    October 28, 2010 at 2:37 pm
    Thats the thing Ice, he thinks im a WUM with an agenda and thats all I come on here for. And then comes out with rediculous things like, ‘Idon’t think he gets that there’s more than one writer’. This was supposed to be a site where people could have an opinion without comments like.

    ‘DJG – I know everyone is entitled to their opinion but yours, as you have previously admitted, is so unqualified I feel obliged to pull you up for chatting shite.’

    ‘Mince that you c unt .’

    If thats the case I think its best I don’t come on here anymore and unlike toonsy throwing his toys on the floor im serious. Thanks to all the genuine posters who have good banter without taking it so serious, it is football after all.<<<< divent let the c@nt that is called toonsy scare ya of man

  48. Actually, hold up, That middle quote there DJG, this one….

    “DJG – I know everyone is entitled to their opinion but yours, as you have previously admitted, is so unqualified I feel obliged to pull you up for chatting shite.”

    It actually wasn’t me?

    Why do you persist in trying to misrepresent people. If you are going to be a clever dick and pull people up on it at least make sure you get the right people who said.

    I believe, from memory, that it was TC who said that…

    No doubt I won’t get an apology for that like….

  51. Toon Chicken says:
    October 27, 2010 at 11:34 pm

    DJG – I know everyone is entitled to their opinion but yours, as you have previously admitted, is so unqualified I feel obliged to pull you up for chatting shite.

    Arsenal are better than us by a long, long way. There’s no shame in that – they’re better than most. Tell us something we don’t know.

    FFS – you didn’t even watch footy until the first “messiah” came and yet you think you know more about the game than the best manager we’ve had in years

  53. DJG i dont like anyone leaveing the blog,i like to read every ones point of view (except the odd one),think again old lad,ime not takeing anyones side,but sometimes saying sorry builds many bridges,and it costs nowt :)

  54. Soz TC, just seen your post…..

    Thing is, check back, in this thread so far…

    – He blames me for the poll
    – Says I repeatedly drag thsi up, when this is my first article on it.
    – Has tried to twost what I have said a few times
    – Has tried to put other peoples words on my doorstep

    The he tries to tell me isn’t a WUM and isn’t trying to get a bite…… :lol:

  57. DJG toonsy loves a good argument man ,you would have too do sumit serious for you too get banned ,like sleeping with his lovely wife :) wharers stu :lol:

  60. Icedog – He doesn’t have to leave, but all I am asking is for him to stop trying to fu(k me over and trying to pin things on me that don’t involve me….

    I have ripped his whinging to pieces on this thread and exposed him for trying to pass bullhit as fact numerous times, yet he hides behind the “I thought eveyone had an opinion” bollocks.

    They do, of course they do, and I never stop it, until they become a deliberate attempt at trying to make me look like I am responsible for things that I haven’t done.

    Crack on DJG, but remember, DO NOT try an dtsitch stuff on me kidda…..

  63. workyticket says:
    October 28, 2010 at 2:50 pm
    Calm down everyone.<<<< you watched too much brookside :)

  64. Batty – Bang my mrs as much as you like. You know the score… pay your £5 for the 10 mins and I’m fine with it :lol:

    BUT, I refuse to have shyte pinned on me….

    And you are right, I am an argumentative tosser :lol:

  66. Not really CC, I just don’t take too kindly to people spouting balatant LIES about me if I’m being honest….

  67. toonsy :lol: you know iam gonna copy and paste that and send it in a message too her on facebook :)

  69. It’s ok mate, I was offering it out to people at work the other night and one of them told her. She found it funny :lol:

    Anyhoo, I’m off to hospital for another Cancer check-up. I’ll catch you in a bit… :)

  72. TOONSY nee worries i do see your point.see you have shown WORKY what not to do,he didnt forcast a score last neet lol :)

  73. jeez you lot need to take a pill – to be honest if all you do is come on this blog and slag off every post and everyone who comments anything positive why dont ya fack off and start your own blog.

    IMO
    1. CH should not be sacked
    2. A new deal can be sorted out once we see where we’ll finish in league
    3. Last nights showing had a lot of positives
    4. Joey isn’t that much of a reformed character
    5. Ranger still has a lot to learn
    6. So does Carroll
    7. Routledge looked great in championship, doesn’t look so good in prem

    I could go on but that’ll do for now.

  74. mossa,
    heard it all before mate, fan base, loyal support blah blah blah, they must have been in bed with a bug against Wigan then, because St James’ was like a morgue! You’re right however, lets change manager, Hughton’s done nowt to deserve his chance, it’s served us well in the past chopping and changing.

    Question though, there are plenty of reasons why the league should be prioritised over the cup, so i’m just curious, what reasons exactly do you think that more respect should have been given to last nights game?

  75. Like bloody Eastenders on here the day lads!..in saying that just give me Stacey Slater and I’ll be happy like haha :D

  77. I love mike
    Because I pay my money and have done for fifty years. In that time the managers good or bad have taken cup games seriously, like I would expect. I don`t go to a game expecting the manager to have a defeatist attitude towards it. If I displayed the same attitude at work I would be sacked.

  79. Mossa u talking rubbish hoots has took s far as he can are u serious he has had 9games in prem n were ninth, so how the he’ll do u figure, but I gather from your comments that your one of the deluded ones who finks Europe is acheivable, hell yes id take Europe but hoots aim is survival, u cleary haven’t learn from changing manager all the time we need stability, plus I love it how all these ppl who want hoots sacked are assumin fatman wud bring in O’neill or jol dream on more like kinnear again

  81. mossa,
    1. I asked you to give me reasons as to why the cup should have shown more respect baring in mid we have an important game in 3 days and you have come up with ‘because I pay my money’.

    You pay money? Sorry mate, but that’s pretty pathetic imo, you didn’t have to go or pay for a ticket last night, but you CHOSE to! Saying that is like eating a whole meal and then wanting your money back.

    You knew there was going to be changes, yet still YOU CHOSE to go. Yeah, you pay your money, but that was your rational choice and not a reason to why the cup should have been shown more respect. If your not happy with what you have bought, dont spend your money there.

    2. You say defeatist, I say (and the majority agree) reasoned. The league is the obvious priority and we don’t have the personnel to last out two cup runs and a long season. So what would be the rational thing to do? Yup, rotate the squad. Which is what he has done, therefore the players will be fresh on Sunday, if they looked tired and Sunday and couldn’t put the effort in as they had no energy, would you be happy then?

  82. Batty, sorry I didn’t reply straight away when you asked where I’d been but I was ambushed by my missus as she is on a nest refurbishing mission and took command of the PC to trawl the internet for various items.
    Please don’t anyone tell me to man-up and tell her where to go, as any married bloke knows it just don’t work like that, I for one like an easy life. :)

    Anyway its been like that since we got back from holiday so I’ve only been able really to look in on the blog on the odd occasion

    Actually to be fair we have got some tired old things that need replacing and she not only likes to try and get the best deal but wants to do it before the VAT increase comes into force.

    And she aint really that bad, I am perhaps exagerating a wee bit. ;)

  83. big Willy says:
    October 28, 2010 at 4:44 pm

    “Please don’t anyone tell me to man-up and tell her where to go, as any married bloke knows it just don’t work like that, I for one like an easy life”

    Spot on :)

  85. If Hughton leaves it will be his decision.

    I think he could walk. He’s obviously not happy about something.

    There’s been something doing the rounds and it could have come from his camp.

    Bookies don’t suspend betting on a newspaper rumour.

  86. Stuart – But they do suspend betting if there is a large movement in the betting to reduce their exposure to it….

    Markets get pulled all the time. It’s nowt to worry about…

  87. I love Mike
    As far as not getting value for money if I went to the West End to watch a show on a wednesday night would I be happy if the manager told me that the stars were`nt appearing tonight and that he was saving them for the weekend. Bollocks, the real reason why Hughton did`nt play his first team because he was scared shitless they would be turned over and he would be seen for what he is a poor coach and crap manager

  88. So if our first-team would get turned over anyway that would mean that they are behind Arsenal in terms of quality? Fair to say?

    So how can Hughton change that? If the players are that bad I mean? You can only polish a turd so much, and you yourself have just said that the players aren’t at the Arsenal level, which is why they would get turned over….

  89. In the first twenty minutes we were ripped apart especially down our right hand side. Hughton picks the team he knows Routledge can`t defend to save himself which puts big pressure on Ryan Taylor who is rusty and not a good defender. He plays Perch in central defence enough said. How is Hughton not to blame he has no tactical nous whatsoever.

  90. So who would you have played then? Would you risk first team players? If so would you feel happy if they got an injury and missed the derby on Sunday?

    You can bleat on about paying your money and what not, but at the end of the day anyone with an eye in their head could see that yesterday was going to be a weak team.

    We have a weak squad, but how could Hughton change that with only £5 million to spend during the summer? He got HBA, who got injured. Campbell would have played last night, had he not been injured aswell which would have taken Perch out of the equation.

    I just don’t get some people….

  91. Off topic: Last nights game confirmed why Ryan Taylor doesn’t get a look in on first team actions – He’s a complete and utter useless clown.

  92. Mossa, in fairness, there were several reason’s why CH chose to play the team he did:
    1) We have a huge game at the weekend and risking the first team could have had bad consequences.
    2) Of the players he picked last night, 11 of the 14 featured against Chelsea and BEAT Chelsea in the last round. It was only fair to give those youngsters a chance to get game time and to have another crack at a top team.
    3) Players like Vuckic, Krul, Ranger, Lovenkrands, Routledge and Guthrie all needed game time for different reasons.

    All in all it could have been 0-0 at half time and who knows how the second half could have gone. There’s no shame in losing to Arsenal though. They had something like 10 INTERNATIONALS on the field last night.

  93. Mossa…everybody got value for money because everybody who bought a ticket for that game knew it would be a reserve team out.I’ve no doubt if CH had played the full team and picked up 8 injuries you’d be on here calling him for that.It was a reserve team that got us past Chelsea, would our first team have beaten their first team, highly unlikely.
    Yep we’ve always put out our strongest team in the league cup, remind me again how many times that’s paid off?

  94. Ashley has brainwashed you all with his trusty puppet Hughton. I can`t believe how naive you are, your resonses could be Hughton talking, you`ve listened to his crap and swallowed it. We`ve been beaten at home because come on remind me what are his excuses, if this goes on well you`ll accept it because it can`t be Hughton to blame, someone`s injured, or the referee got it wrong, or the other team turned up. Accept the fact the man is not up to it

  95. Aye, that’s right. It’s because we have been brainwashed :roll:

    FFS, I should keip you around for entertainment purposes…….

  97. How many clubs would bid for his services if he left That`s entertainment man! Or hold on Toonsy do you think Man Unt see him as a replacement for Sir Alex

  100. Go on the Mossa, who said he was Alex Fergusons replacement? Other than you of course you feckin dimwit :lol:

  101. shit, he’s right, I think I am brain washed, cheers mossa. And you say you’ve been watching the club for over 50 years, therefore you’re maybe 60-70 and you come out with some childish shit like that? Have a word mate, or should I add you to the list of other shlongs which I usually skip over on here?

    Anyway, mossa, contrary to what people believe, blogs like these aren’t purely about opinion, they’re more about debate as generated through opinion. However in order to debate, your position has to be somewhat based upon facts and reasoning.

    My question is simple, do you actually have any reasoning behind what you’re saying? Or is it simply ‘CH isn’t up to it’ or ‘he’s a puppet’ full stop?

  102. mossa says:
    October 28, 2010 at 8:55 pm

    That`s what I like about this site if you don`t agree with the mainstream your rubbished”

    Quite the contrary mossa, like i’m getting at above, that what makes this blog good, there’s alot of differing opinion and even nobs like stu have some sort of reasoning to their argument.

    You however are just like some angry little man, sitting in the bulls just shouting out nonsense.

  103. Hey, mossa, 50 years of watching Newcastle and you haven’t learnt anything! There’re very few times in the last 50 years when we’ve had a manager that got the team playing with the spirit it now has.

    I didn’t witness first hand a lot of the 70s and all the 80s, for various reasons, but I saw some awful teams in highlights reels.

    The spirit of the team now reminds me of Joe Harvey’s sides in the 60s, especially the Fairs Cup winners – I was there to see that, btw.

    And, yeah, the Keegan years and some of the Bobby years were exceptional, but take them out of the equation and the football played by the current squad is well up there with the best we’ve seen over the last 50 years.

  104. Mossa @ post 87, you state that you wouldnt be happy if the stars of the show were not on stage…
    So if they don’t get chances to get on stage how will they in turn become stars?