Newcastle captain Kevin Nolan says the disappointment of losing Chris Hughton as manager will not distract them from their aim of Premier League survival

Captain Kevin Nolan

Alan Pardew has succeeded Hughton with the Magpies 12th in the top-flight and fans are expected to protest at Saturday's game against Liverpool.

In his programme notes, Nolan wrote: "We can't deny it's been a tough week. "But we know we have to put it behind us and, as players, we have accepted what has happened and we will move on." Hughton guided the Magpies to the Championship title last season and he saw his side thump Aston Villa 6-0 and local rivals Sunderland 5-1 before recording a 1-0 win at Arsenal as Newcastle reached the top half of the Premier League table.


A run of two draws and three defeats followed, yet there was as much surprise in the Newcastle dressing room as there was outside of it after the club's owner Mike Ashley gave Hughton his marching orders on Monday. Earlier in the week Nolan admitted the news of Hughton's sacking had come as a huge blow.

"I speak for all of the players when I say we were disappointed to see Chris leave the club," he said.
"It's no secret that everyone was saddened to see him go.

"I'm sure Chris will go on to be a success wherever he goes next, and we wish him all the very best for the future and thank him for everything he achieved here.

"Hopefully we can carry on the good work he put in during his time here.
"We simply have to stick together and rely on the great spirit that exists at this club."

The affection shown towards Hughton has prompted new incumbent Pardew to admit that his first task will be to win round the players and fans. "It's fairly obvious the players and fans had great respect for Hughton and the fact he's gone has caused something of a stir," he stated. "People are upset and I can understand that. The problem I will have initially is making sure I get my message across quickly and with clarity [to the players]. I need to make sure there's no resentment towards me, coming in at this juncture with the team doing reasonably well."

And Pardew added that while there may be an opportunity to move up a congested Premier League table he was not looking beyond the visit of Roy Hodgson's Liverpool.

"It's so close this year - with spirit and unity in the team you could surprise yourself and finish fairly high," he suggested

"But my most immediate concern is the next game. You can get lost in thinking about building the club and developing the youth team and get distracted - I've done that in the past.

"My immediate focus is the game on Saturday night and I've got to prepare the team."

Pardew faces a Liverpool side that were impressive in beating Aston Villa 3-0 in their last Premier League match. However, the Reds have only won one of their eight away league matches this season, prompting Hodgson to demand a more consistent level of performance. "My message to them is what you have got to be doing for the next 22 games; we need 22 more like the last three," he said.

"Less than that we will let ourselves down. The only way to put a poor record behind you is to get the results and maybe we need a bit of luck.

"I'm not trying to dampen enthusiasm or expectations, I'm just trying to be realistic."

Hodgson, though, should be able to call upon striker Fernando Torres, the Spaniard likely to replace either David Ngog or Ryan Babel from the side that beat Villa.