Hughton buoyant on Newcastle return

Chris Hughton is optimistic as he prepares for his first visit to the Sports Direct Arena since his sacking almost two years ago.

Norwich City have yet to win a Premier League game this term, having lost 5-0 on the opening day before posting three consecutive draws.

However, the 53-year-old Norwich City manager is of the opinion that the Carrow Road outfit have been playing well enough in recent weeks, and believes an inevitable change in fortunes will see them win.

“What we are missing is the wins,” Hughton admitted to the club’s official website.

“We’ve performed particularly well in each of the last three games and they were three games that could have seen us win.

“We played well enough and created enough chances in each of them to have won, but we didn’t and that’s the quality of this league.

“At this moment we probably need a flukey goal or a poor decision to go in our favour, but that’s how it is, you have to provide your own luck and quality. We hope the win is not too far away.”

The former Republic of Ireland international went on to dismiss suggestions he is out for redemption when he comes up against the club who terminated his contract in December 2010.

“There are still a lot of staff and players there from my time,” Hughton said.

“I shall look forward to going back, but more so if we are able to give a good account of ourselves.

“I was there at Newcastle for three years, and the supporters were always excellent towards me. It’s one that on a personal note I am looking forward to, but it’s more about our performance. It’s a difficult place to get a result.

“We are conscious that we need to score goals to win games, and I can’t fault the endeavours of the players in the last three games.

“But it’s goals that win matches, and we need to start putting a few more in now.”