Hughton sidesteps Toon name row
NEWCASTLE United's players won't be distracted by the furore over the name change of St James's Park, according to Chris Hughton.
Owner Mike Ashley's decision to rebrand the stadium as sportsdirect.com@St James's Park has caused uproar among fans, and there are expected to be protests before and during Saturday's Championship home game against Peterborough United.
Managing director Derek Llambias's comments about the "negativity" on Tyneside have also angered supporters, who have turned up in their numbers to support their team this season.
The club's attendances have averaged over 40,000 so far this season – with 43,949 turning up for the 2-1 win over Doncaster Rovers – and Hughton, keen to stay out of the row, insists he has no complaints about the backing his players have got from the terraces, despite the widespread disillusionment at troubled Newcastle's ownership.
"It will always be St James's Park to the fans and the people of Newcastle," said Hughton. "For me, this was a commercial decision, and my main concerns are to get results and keep the team at the right end of the table. I'm sure that's what the supporters want as well.
"We can't fault the fans we have here. The backing of them at St James's Park will always be incredible, and they will be important again when Peterborough come to us as we want to make sure that we're still unbeaten."
Peterborough have already beaten Newcastle this season, claiming a 2-0 Carling Cup win at London Road on a night when Hughton rested the bulk of his first team.
Hughton said: "Yes, we did have a young team out that night, but certain things do stick in your mind. They beat us on merit that night, and showed that every team wants to beat Newcasttle."
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Weather for South Shields
Friday 10 February 2012
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