Hughton Says He Is Not A Failure As A Manager!

Last Updated : 04-Dec-2008 by
Chris Hughton: "That time at the helm has not affected my confidence.

"The biggest factor as to why we did not do well was that I was without some of our best players.

"With due respect to Claudio Cacapa, being forced to play him in midfield and use two central defenders as full-backs was not what I would have wanted.

"My saving grace is the fact I am still very much involved in the coaching and preparations of Newcastle United, and I am trying to do the best job I can for the club."

He is sticking his neck out and is tipping forgotten striker Xisco to come good at St James's Park.

The former Spurs defender says he has seen enough of Jimenez Tejeda Xisco to believe he can still make a Premiership player.

Hughton: "It has not been easy for Xisco. He came here on transfer deadline day and did not have a pre-season with us.

"Really we are still finding out about him and he is still finding out about us.

"He is still a very young player at 22, and we are hoping he will get better and better."

HIS GAMES AS NEWCASTLE MANAGER:

(Carling Cup)NEWCASTLE UTD 1 TOTTENHAM HOT 2 (Owen)
Given, Geremi, Taylor, Coloccini, Bassong,Cacapa (Edgar 72), Butt, N'Zogbia, Owen, Duff (Xisco 72),Martins.
Subs Not Used: Harper, Ameobi, Tozer, Doninger, Donaldson.

WEST HAM UTD 3 NEWCASTLE UTD 1 (Owen)
Given, Edgar (Bassong 59), Taylor, Coloccini,N'Zogbia, Geremi, Cacapa (Gonzalez 81), Butt, Duff, Owen, Xisco.
Subs Not Used: Harper, Ameobi, Tozer, Doninger, Donaldson.

NEWCASTLE UTD 1 HULL CITY 2 (Xisco)
Given, Edgar (Bassong 68), Taylor, Coloccini,N'Zogbia, Geremi, Butt, Guthrie, Xisco, Owen,Ameobi (Gonzalez 61).
Subs Not Used: Harper, Cacapa, Danquah, Doninger, Donaldson.

ARSENAL 3 NEWCASTLE UTD 0
Given, Coloccini, Jose Enrique (Bassong 44), Taylor,Gutierrez (Barton 89), Guthrie, Butt, Beye (Edgar 89),N'Zogbia, Owen, Ameobi.
Subs Not Used: Harper, Tozer, Donaldson, Ranger.