Chris Hughton admits he has been pleasantly surprised by Newcastle's surge to the top of the Coca-Cola Championship table.
Danny Guthrie's 52nd-minute strike secured a fourth successive league win to take them two points clear despite the absence of key men Shola Ameobi, Jonas Gutierrez, Nicky Butt and Andy Carroll through injury and Fabricio Coloccini because of international duty.
Hughton said: "What I did believe was that this group of lads could show a real desire to want to do well, and I never felt it would be through lack of effort or lack of conviction [if they did not].
"What we didn't know was the division and what we would be up against on a game-by-game basis.
"I never felt they would show any less than they have shown; whether that would be enough to get us the amount of points we have got, I didn't know."
Comment 1 - 5 of 5
Shouldf have played these kids last season , we might still be in the prem!
Great work Chris and the boys,at last a team pulling together. Cant wait for Cardiff match.
Respect to Chris.
Under the circumstances he and we find ourselves in, massive appreciation from me for guiding us to the top of the table.Toon forever
Thanks Chris.
You don't sack a winning manager and it's nice to see the toon at last has a defence.
i was very impressed with the team spirit against an up & coming, well marshalled side.
smith was my m.o.m closely followed by ranger & enrique
thought that even though it was only 1 nil blooding our other youngsters was either exceptionally brave or a masterclass in conviction
well done cameron said you deserrve a medal of bin lid proportions - well it should nw be bigger
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