Hughton - Stability is key
Chris Hughton is confident that Newcastle now have the stability required to progress.
Last Updated: 04/09/10 5:18pm
Chris Hughton is confident that Newcastle now have the stability required to stay in the Premier League.
The former Tottenham coach came into the club under Kevin Keegan as his assistant, but exactly two years since his departure, Hughton has seen the club fall into disarray and the second tier before leading them back to the Premier League.
Keegan's controversial exit due to disagreements with the board led to the club appointing four different managers in the time since, with Hughton being awarded the role permanently last season.
Despite obvious financial worries at Newcastle, Hughton has managed to bring in five new faces at St James' Park, with four points from their first three games giving the Toon Army fresh hope that they can finish in a good position this season.
The former Tottenham coach was positive that his new recruits would deliver, and that their youthful age will provide the stability needed.
Vital
"Stability was always going to be vital and now we feel we have that," he told The Chronicle.
"When you look at the players we have signed, they all have their best years in front of them.
"You have Dan Gosling at 20, Cheik Tiote at 24, James Perch at 24 and Hatem Ben Arfa at 23.
"Sol Campbell is out of that category, of course, but he has been brought in for different reasons, and these young players can benefit from his experience in games and on the training ground.
"But overall we are looking to the future with this group.
"In January we will reassess what we have, and I think I'll get the backing of the owner again like last time if we need to strengthen the team at that stage."
Xisco suspended
Hughton will have to make do however without Spanish forward Xisco after he received a three-game suspension for a sending off in a reserve game against Sunderland on Tuesday night.
The 24-year-old, who has struggled to adjust to life in the North East since joining form Deportivo two years ago, was given a straight red card for flicking out a boot at Black Cats youngster Jordan Cook.
He will now miss their upcoming league games against Blackpool and Everton, as well as their Carling Cup tie against Chelsea.