Hughton wary of title rivals

Magpies boss demands his side maintain their good form.

Last updated: 8th February 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Hughton wary of title rivals

Hughton has issued a rallying cry

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Newcastle boss Chris Hughton has warned his players against complacency as the battle for Premier League promotion intensifies.

Despite being six points clear of second place, Hughton knows title contenders West Brom and Nottingham Forest are ready to pounce should his side slip up.

The Magpies demonstrated their prowess with a resounding 5-1 demolition of fourth-placed Cardiff on Friday night to give new impetus to their drive back towards the Premier League.

However, less than 24 hours later, the Baggies won 1-0 at struggling Plymouth and Forest beat Sheffield Wednesday 2-1 to maintain the pressure.

Newcastle have a game in hand on both their closest rivals, but Hughton knows there is little room for error as his side head for Derby on Tuesday night.

He said: "That has to be the approach because West Brom and Forest's form has been that good, they have both looked that good that you can only think about yourselves.

"The moment you start thinking about other things, you are taking your mind off the game you should be playing.

"The game you should be playing is, however you do it, to try to win as many games as you can and get as many points as you can."

Impressive run

Victory over Cardiff at St James' Park extended the Magpies' unbeaten league run to a club record 15 games, but Hughton, while acknowledging the achievement, has his sights set on bigger things.

He said: "The only thing that means anything for us is maintaining where we are.

"We all know what our goal is this season, and the most important thing is, however we do that, achieving that.

"Then perhaps you look back and review the season and perhaps enjoy those moments then.

"But at this moment, we are where are, there's a lot of pressure on us, there is a group of teams below us pushing very hard and who will continue to push hard, and we have got to make sure we continue to be focused."