Chris Hughton insists his focus will be on Norwich when they tackle his former employees Newcastle at St James' Park on Sunday.
Canaries boss says he is 'lucky' to be in charge of club
Chris Hughton insists his focus will be on Norwich when they tackle his former employees Newcastle at St James' Park on Sunday.
Hughton was replaced by Alan Pardew 21 months ago with Newcastle 11th in the Premier League.
Since then Pardew has taken the club into Europe and strengthened the Magpies' squad with key signings such as strikers Demba Ba and Papiss Cisse.
The 53-year-old, however, claims there will be no emotion, just total focus on trying to get Norwich's first league win of the season.
Lucky
"There are no thoughts of meeting anybody or what reaction I will get," said Hughton.
"It's nice to go back. I had a really good three years there which I enjoyed. You can't afford to have other things on your mind.
"From the time I left there, all I wanted to do was look forward. I consider myself lucky.
"I'm manager of a wonderful club in Norwich in the Premier League and we have the opportunity to go to some great stadia and mix it with the best teams and the best players. That is all about looking forward.
"It's not a nice thing to happen to anybody when you lose your job but unfortunately it's part and parcel of the game. If you dwell on things it doesn't give you the opportunities to look forward.
"For me it's always been onwards and upwards."
Hughton, who understandably has concentrated on shoring up the defence after the hammering at Fulham, believes the free-scoring style for which Norwich were renowned last season will return.
He said: "If you have a strong belief that you are going to continue to create chances it can turn on a lucky goal or a deflection.
"We're after that little bit of fortune, but mostly we are after quality, somebody pulling something out of the bag.
"You need a group of players who do not fear going anywhere and if that's the case you are always capable of getting a result."
