I am not really in either the Hughton in or our brigade. I am not sure he deserves the entire blame for our current predicament, but he certainly is not immune from criticism and not just because he is in charge of the first team. When we lost to Villa last Saturday, there was a wide range of opinions on how well Mark Bunn performed. Most blamed him for the first goal, some for none of the goals and a handfull of people for both goals. The first thing my brother said to me after the game was 'wow, Bunn was terrible' when I thought he didn't really have much chance with either. But really should Bunn have been playing in the first place? Hughton is now saying he didn't play him because it was too risky because he might not of been fully sharp but he said before the game that he was ready and he had a dilemma who to pick! The only reason you wouldn't pick Ruddy is because it might seem unfair to relegate Bunn to the bench after he has been dependable enough filling in for Ruddy. But we needed a win really, I don't see how you can afford to take that attitude. I simply cannot fathom why you would not pick your strongest XI when you desperately need a win! Of course, Becchio, Whittaker, Tettey and Fox are all on the bench or not even in the squad when they surely have to have a reasonable claim for some playing time when their alternatives simple aren't getting the jobs done. But Hughton sticks with the same line-up because he is feels he needs a settled squad. Against West Brom next weekend we must play our best team!
Another thing, would he stop bloody spraying his hair with the Newcastle home colours. Its either yellow and green Chris or not at all.
Why wouldn't you pick Ruddy. On his performances before the injury he was England's best. Bunn was probably to blame for the first and I don't know what he was doing for the 2nd. He just kind of fell over as if he was wrong footed where in all probability, Agbonlahor was always going to hit it across him. And Ruddy is a presence in the box with his size. Bunn isn't.
Couldn't agree more Redruth. As a reserve GK Bunn has been adequate - no more than that - but has often been let down by his lack of height. Several times I have thought at the time ' Ruddy would probably have got to that ' and in my humble opinion Hughton will be commiting suicide on Saturday if Ruddy and Tettey don't start.
Not sure about Tettey, Howson hasn't been that bad of late, and Tettey hasn't been as good as he was before Christmas. Back then Tettey was class on the ball and got forwards, his touch hasn't been anywhere near as good lately. Ruddy simply must come back though.
To much pressure on Ruddy guys, he won't win the game for us, we need the ball at the other end of the field. In short we need goals!
I seem to remember Robert Chase saying the same thing about Chris Sutton!! If McNally has had to go public to deny it then there must be something in it!
Not necessarily, McNally has gone public to deny all kinds of in- and out-goings, seemingly based on whatever rumours twitter concoct.
He will be first to be sold if we go down. As for my opinion..Ruddy was awesome and replaces through injury therefore when fully fit deserves his place back.
I can't see Ruddy going this summer. If he wasn't out for 5 months then maybe I might think differently. I know I'll be alone in thinking this, but stay up or go down I'd still keep CH. We know with Newcastle and Birmingham he is good at that Championship level, and if we stay up I think he will bring in more exciting players.
Whatever happens I think Hughton will be in charge for at least ten more games. Let's hope he has a personality change over the summer, pulls out a few more transfer gems and suddenly we play exciting attacking football next season. Stranger things have happened.
Agreed. Swans thrown us a life-line, now we must take it. If we draw against West Brom then Wigan have to beat Arsenal or we are safe. Then Hughton I believe will overhaul our team and we will improve a great deal.
I just think signing Wolfswinkel shows real intent that CH want to change things for next season, he knows us not scoring is bad and will be looking to improve it. Swansea have done us a favour, now we just have to go all out and not waste the opportunity they've given us.
