Hughton - That hurt

Magpies boss vows to bounce back following defeat

Last updated: 9th February 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Hughton - That hurt

Hughton: Bad defeat

It's a hurt changing room because our strength this season is that we've been solid and had a good defensive record.

Chris Hughton
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Newcastle boss Chris Hughton admits Tuesday night's 3-0 away defeat at Derby was hard to stomach, but has challenged his players to respond in the coming weeks.

The Magpies lost their club-record 15-game unbeaten league run and top spot in the Coca-Cola Championship following a comprehensive away reverse at Pride Park.

Derby were rewarded for their first-half dominance when Rob Hulse headed them in front five minutes before the break.

Kris Commons doubled the advantage from the penalty spot before the hour mark and defender Shaun Barker completed the rout soon afterwards.

Hughton admitted the manner of the defeat had hurt his players but he backed them to bounce back and achieve their ambition of promotion this season.

Solid

"It's a very hurt changing room. The manner of the defeat has hurt them and I'm quite sure there'll be a desire to turn this around," said the Magpies manager.

"It's certainly a big blow. We've done something that we haven't done all season and that's concede three goals. If you do that then there's a good chance you'll lose football matches.

"It's a hurt changing room because our strength this season is that we've been solid and had a good defensive record. Although, on the balance of play I didn't see it as a 3-0 deficit."

It was Newcastle's first league defeat since losing 2-1 at Scunthorpe on October 20, and West Brom's home win over the Iron the same evening saw them replace the Magpies at the summit.

On losing top spot, Hughton added: "Of course it's a blow because it's something we've had all season but that doesn't deter from the fact that the objective this season is to get promotion, whichever way we do that.

"The fact we've been where we've been all season means we've been one of the best three teams in the division for most of the season, and for most of it we've been the best team."

Nigel Clough was able to name an unchanged side for the first time this season and the Derby boss believes that is the reason for his side's recent upturn in form.

Problems

The Rams beat East Midlands rivals Nottingham Forest 10 days ago and followed that result up with another impressive performance against Sheffield United on Saturday, when they were only denied victory by a controversial injury-time equaliser.

Clough named the same side that started the 1-1 draw at Bramall Lane and he felt it was the best start his side had made to a game since his appointment as manager 13 months ago.

"To be able to name an unchanged side for the first time at the start of February tells you about some of the problems we've had here this season," said Clough. "All we've been trying for is a settled side and some consistency.

"Hopefully for the second half of the season most of our better players will stay fit because we don't mind playing anyone when we get our best side out, or close to it.

"The score might flatter us a little in terms of chances created but anyone who has seen us for the last few weeks would say a result like that has been coming.

"It's reward for all the hard work in the last few weeks. The first 15-20 minutes were as well as we've played since I've been here. Stephen Bywater hardly touched the ball."