.Hello, good afternoon and welcome to NUFC Blog’s match banter. This time, Newcastle United travel to West Ham’s Boleyn Ground, which is perhaps more commonly known as Upton Park.
West Ham, despite having a pretty awful start, seem at last to be coming into some form as the Avram Grant medicine starts to take effect. With three draws and two wins in their last five games, things certainly seem to be looking up for the Hammers, and they will be no pushovers, especially at home. Meanwhile, on the Newcastle side, manager and ex West Ham player, Chris Hughton, has had something of a torrid week with the team booed in the draw against Wigan, the latest chapter of “Carrollgate”, and the departure of assistant, Colin Calderwood, to Hibs. Despite some disappointing home form this season though, the Magpies have have been quite strong on the road, and the game should be quite a tight affair. (more…)
Hughton the Hammer!On the verge of Newcastle United’s clash with the jellied eel munchers of West Ham, manager and east end boy, Chris Hughton, has been reminiscing on his days as a West Ham player.
Hughton was born in Forest Gate, East London, which is deep in West Ham country, and attended St Bonaventure’s school in the area, which was also attended by Jermain Defoe. Like Defoe, Hughton’s playing career is undoubtedly most closely associated with North London’s Tottenham Hotspur, though Hughton did spend over a year playing for his hometown club at the beginning of the ‘nineties.
Hughton: Support for Carroll.Newcastle United manager, Chris Hughton today came out in support of his troubled striker, Andy Carroll, who has been becoming something of a regular in the local courts recently, facing allegations of an attack in a Newcastle night club and most recently, the assault of a former girlfriend. To add to the striker’s problems, he also had his recently purchased Range Rover, purchased in celebration of signing a new contract at the club, vandalised outside the home of teammate, Kevin Nolan, with whom Carroll has to live as part of his current bail conditions. Speaking in an interview, Hughton said of the Carroll crisis:
“With everything, you have to learn by your mistakes. All individuals are different but these are issues we have to deal with.
“The most important thing is to give him the support and the guidance he needs and that he continues to keep doing what he does right on the training pitch and in matches. (more…)
Hughton: “It will 100% be my decision”There have been some slightly confusing messages in both yesterday’s and today’s press about the seach for Colin Calderwood’s successor as assistant manager at St James’s Park.
Local reporter, Luke Edwards of the Journal, is insisting that Hughton will “Take his time” in the seach for a new deputy. However in the interview transcribed in the piece, there is something of a mixed message, with Hughton himself seemingly suggesting, as we reported yesterday, that it is something he will dealing with over the next few days, and also that he has someone in mind for the position already, but also saying “I’m going to think about it for a while”.
Hughton said on the succession:
“It will 100% be my decision because it has to be. He is going to be my assistant so it is important I know I can work with that person.(more…)
Hughton: "Big blow".Newcastle United manager, Chris Hughton, has been talking to Tyneside newspaper, The Chronic on the “big blow” of losing deputy, Colin Calderwood, to Hibs. He also spoke on the search for his replacement, which, said Hughton, he would be dealing with “over the next couple of days”.
Starting with a tribute to his erstwhile deputy, Hughton said:
“For us it is very much a case of business as usual.
“It’s a big blow to lose Colin Calderwood but certainly one I can understand.
“He’s not only very good at what he does as a coach but he’s also a very good friend.”
On Calderwood’s sudden move to Hibs, Hughton continued:
“When an opportunity like this comes along it is difficult to turn down, and it is no surprise he was in the frame because he has such good pedigree.
“He’s looked to take the opportunity and I wish him well.”(more…)
