Newcastle's manager Chris Hughton remains vulnerable.
Hughton remains vulnerable despite steering theGeordies back into the Premier League following their relegation in May 2009 and causing a stir this season with high profile wins at Arsenal and Everton plus thumping St James’ Park victories against neighbours Sunderland and Aston Villa.
He is one of the division’s lowest paid bosses and talks over a new contract - his current expires at the end of the season - have still to start.
His efforts to bring in a new No 2 to replace Colin Calderwood, who left to become Hibernian’s new boss, have stalled because the club are keen on him promoting from within. It’s also believed there are concerns about the influence certain senior players appear to have on their manager.
Highly-placed club sources have suggested that Hughton even changed his line-up at Bolton last weekend after representations from experienced players.
Bizarrely, in the aftermath of the 5-1 Reebok defeat against his old club, skipper Kevin Nolan was quick to deny the players had a say in the tactics. Those, he insisted, were left to the manager and his coaching staff.
While Hughton’s supporters point to the job he has done in conducting a successful promotion campaign and return to the Premier League – despite losing established stars like Shay Given, James Milner, Michael Owen, Mark Viduka and Damien Duff – his detractors insist the side lacks leadership and is too inconsistent.
Home defeats against Blackpool, Stoke and Blackburn haven’t gone down well in the boardroom, meaning Hughton faces a vital few weeks.
Owner Mike Ashley and managing director Derek Llambias have not been slow to act if they believe change is needed.
Sam Allardyce was their first victim following Ashley’s takeover, while Kevin Keegan’s love affair with the club wasn’t enough to keep him on Tyneside when he felt he was being undermined. Alan Shearer’s stint in charge was fleeting as neither party could agree a way forward following the drop to the Championship. Ashley believes he has already paid more than enough compensation to sacked managers and has no intention of being stung again.
It’s why he refuses to be railroaded into agreeing a new long-term deal with Hughton, believing that the 51-year-old still has to prove himself at the highest level.
Relegation would be disastrous but defeat against Chelsea this afternoon would leave the Geordies looking over their shoulders at the drop zone.
Ashley has refused to pay big transfer fees and slashed the wage bill, preferring to invest in younger players anxious to prove themselves.
Hughton has gone along with that policy but could soon find himself ditched if results go against him.
Out-of-work managers who would jump at the chance to take over at St James’ Park include Martin O’Neill and former West Ham bosses Gianfranco Zola and Alan Curbishley.
It’s why today’s game, heralded as important for Chelsea’s disenchanted manager Carlo Ancelotti, is just as critical for Chris Hughton.
Hughton knows he could be in trouble if his side stumble at home again this afternoon against Ancelotti’s side.
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