Former Newcastle coach and Norwich City Manager Chris Hughton’s job is on the line. He may be sacked next Tuesday
Newcastle United supporters would never have held up a Hughton Out banner even if the former manager had lost a derby 5-1.
Chris Hughton had done too much good work and was way too nice a bloke to suffer such public criticism.
As it was, he actually won a derby by that scoreline. The only thing he lost was his job within a few weeks of that famous result.
It is therefore ironic that on Tuesday night a win for Newcastle over Norwich could well see the former Toon boss sacked by the Carrow Road club.
Beating Hull City last time out is believed to have saved Hughton, or at least bought him some time.
But quite possibly the nicest man to every work at St James’ Park, with apologies to Sir Bobby and Wor Jackie, could be out if a job if Newcastle go down and win on Tuesday evening.
Norwich captain Russell Martin said: “We turned up at Fulham the other week and there was a (“Hughton Out”) banner as we were getting off the coach. There’s no need for that.
“It’s always going to be like that with the criticism. We’ve gone 12th in the table and there are a lot of teams below us in the same situation with a lot of managers under pressure, and a few have already gone this year.”
While Hughton remains a popular figure among the Newcastle support, his predicament will mean little to them. After a break and trip to Abu Dhabi, it is back to the cold and two huge games within the space of four days with Norwich and then the derby to come after that.
As far as the players are concerned, Sunderland can wait and it was a good thing they got away last week because with no football this weekend, every fan who stopped them in the street would only have had one thing on their mind.
And that would not have been Norwich City.
Pardew, however, must ensure his players reach the levels of their previous match, at West Ham United, where they won 3-1 and played some superb football. Much has been made of Newcastle’s showings against the top teams this season, but they have by and large also done well in the less glamorous Premier League fixtures, and Tuesday, with the greatest respect, falls into that category.
Former Newcastle player Rob Lee believes the difference between a good and great season will be determined from now on by Newcastle get on against the sides below them in the league.
He said: “We have looked much better when sitting back and hitting teams on the break, but you can’t do that against everyone. I would like to see them get the ball down and dictate, show people how good they are.
“I think in the past they have struggled to get themselves as up for some games as they have many others, although that has changed recently. The reason we got into trouble last season is we dropped points at too many places we really should be looking to win at.
“Good teams get themselves up for every game, not just the big ones.”
Lee is right.
A top eight finish would surely be secured if United take care of the teams they are supposed to, and anything against the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea is a bonus.
There have been a few, but not many, stumbles. Swansea, Hull City, West Brom and, of course, the first derby spring to mind.
Tuesday’s match feels like one of those.
Newcastle will win if they turn up and play as they can, but they face a side only five points off the relegation places and who with players such as Robert Snodgrass can create and score goals.
A silly defeat would unnecessarily put more pressure on the players come Saturday. The last thing they need.