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| Hughton sacked with Newcastle 11th in the Premier League |
Unbelievable. The soap opera that is Newcastle United. As a fan it really does leave you speechless.
When I was in a lecture and my friends turned and told me the news I was in total shock and anger. Just as they were gaining some stability and the fans were maybe beginning to forget about Mike Ashley and his past decisions he has decided on what appears to be the ludicrous decision to sack manger Chris Hughton (above). The man took over the team when they were in turmoil and many were touting Newcastle to 'do a Leeds' and drop even further down the divisions. He stabilised the club, gained the backing of the players and gained promotion. Ashley can have no complaints. His remit was promotion and he delivered. With a few 'cheap' January additions such as Wayne Routledge, Leon Best and Mike Williamson he won the Championship with 102 points. Also over the summer with no serious money he brought in what he could. It is fair to say not all his signing I agree with and some have not really worked e.g Sol Campbell and James Perch however Check Tiote was a great addition and he was unlucky with Hatem Ben Afta getting injured as he is a quality player. Had he been fit and in the team I am sure they would have more points then they currently do. Newcastle currently sit 11th in the table and are on course for survival. I know this could change and there is a long way to go in the season but I feel this decision is rash.
When I was in a lecture and my friends turned and told me the news I was in total shock and anger. Just as they were gaining some stability and the fans were maybe beginning to forget about Mike Ashley and his past decisions he has decided on what appears to be the ludicrous decision to sack manger Chris Hughton (above). The man took over the team when they were in turmoil and many were touting Newcastle to 'do a Leeds' and drop even further down the divisions. He stabilised the club, gained the backing of the players and gained promotion. Ashley can have no complaints. His remit was promotion and he delivered. With a few 'cheap' January additions such as Wayne Routledge, Leon Best and Mike Williamson he won the Championship with 102 points. Also over the summer with no serious money he brought in what he could. It is fair to say not all his signing I agree with and some have not really worked e.g Sol Campbell and James Perch however Check Tiote was a great addition and he was unlucky with Hatem Ben Afta getting injured as he is a quality player. Had he been fit and in the team I am sure they would have more points then they currently do. Newcastle currently sit 11th in the table and are on course for survival. I know this could change and there is a long way to go in the season but I feel this decision is rash.
The job he has done should not be underestimated. This season Newcastle have put in some terrific performances agianst Chelsea, Arsenal and of course the 5-1 beating of Sunderland. The form has dipped recently and the West Brom game was disappointing and was extremely poor. Nevertheless that was a one off very poor performance and even at the end I still had faith in him getting something next week against Liverpool. This man has done wonderfully well with what he has been given. Lets remember this is Newcastle's first season back in the Premier League so the aim is to survive. There was no real investment over the summer so he has players in the squad who really are not Premiership players yet he still gets results. Players such as Guthrie, no manager can turn him into a great player.
I suppose the departure of Colin Calderwood was a clear sign as he was allowed to leave and no replacement was made. Looking back this was the writing was on the wall, the board decision had obviously been made and they were waiting for one poor performance as an excuse to get sack Hughton and West Brom game provided that.
Hughton deserved a new contract and the chance to keep Newcastle in the top-flight. As for this statement about the need for a more 'experienced manager' what is that about? No one is available and furthermore who would want the job after they see the way the board treats its mangers. Kevin Keegan and Hughton both treated appallingly and deserved much, much more. It is a sad day for the Toon and one I hope does not lead to Newcastle free-falling just as they did before and go back into the Championship. Mike Ashley hold your non-footballing head in shame. Even if Newcastle get someone in and go on to have great success this decision will still be wrong. I know many will say if the new guy comes in and does well all will be forgotten but for me this event will always feel wrong.
I hope Newcastle can get someone in who will help them to firstly stay up and then continue this plan of the Newcastle board and Chief Scout Graham Carr of finding young talent such as Ben Arfa and Tiote for small fees. Hopefully Newcastle will remain in the Premier League for a very long time and maybe even challenge Europe and return to the great days of Bobby Robson and enter the Champions League.
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| O'Neill would be great choice |
Names that have been mentioned are that of Alan Shearer however I doubt this will happen. Martin Jol who I hope does not get it as he is not one of my favourite managers to put it politely. Alan Pardew is mentioned and is the bookies favourite however having just been sacked from League 1 Southampton is he the right man? For me I would love to see Martin O'Neill. For me he is a terrific manager and one who could help Newcastle. He is great with getting results with average player and looking at the Newcastle squad that is what we are dealing with. His job at Villa was magnificent and Newcastle could do with a man like that however would he work for Ashley? He is a top manager who will have success again where ever he ends up.
I hope the best for Chris Hughton. I am sure that he will be back soon as the job he has done at Newcastle will not go unrecognised. I am sure he will be back in management by the start of next season.
