Newcastle lost and he was left to explain Andy Carroll's surprise omission from the starting line-up against Manchester City.
Carroll, who is being tipped for a call-up to the England squad for this month's Euro 2012 qualifier against Montenegro, was surprisingly dropped to make way for Shola Ameobi.
I think a lot of supporters expected Shola to partner Carroll when we played Stoke at St James' Park, following his fabulous performance at Stamford Bridge in the Carling Cup, but it didn't happen.
Shola went public, saying he had told Hughton: "I am not happy", and obviously that had a say in the team selection against City.
The big striker came on for the last 13 minutes in the 2-1 defeat to City, but Hughton admitted he felt the 21-year-old had suffered a dip in front in the last couple of games.
Hughton: "He did have a bit of a virus last week but I felt over the last few games he has just lost a little bit.
"And Shola had a fabulous game at Chelsea in the Carling Cup so I wanted to give him a chance.
"But Andy is a massive part of this club and will continue to be for a long time."