So Far So Good For Chris Hughton

've never disliked the guy and have a huge amount of respect for the calm and calculated manner with which he has conducted himself while the rest of St James's Park has looked like a lunatic's asylum.

But as a manager, I thought Hughton was hopelessly ill-equipped to do anything other than hold the fort. A nice guy and a good coach who simply didn't have the steel to lead a football team.

If I'm totally honest, I would still rather that was all he was doing, holding the fort. I still hope Alan Shearer is appointed and the club is sold, but that is looking less and less likely with each passing day.

Barry Moat has had a series of deadlines which have been extended and still he has failed to raise the capital needed to complete a takeover. If he hasn't done it by now, then surely he's never going to do it?

Shearer appears to be resigned to returning to work with the BBC and while his time will surely come again as a manager, it doesn't look like happening any time soon.

Of course, the mistake would be to believe that Newcastle's start to the season means they are all set for an immediate return to the top flight.

I still think that hangs in the balance. I've been told that a significant number of players will be signed on deadline day, with more to follow on loan when that market re-opens in a couple of week's time. Let's hope those briefings are right.

It is a double-edged sword. If players are signed on permanent deals for money then it would appear to increase the chances of Mike Ashley staying.

But if they are not signed now then, even if he leaves, Newcastle's hopes of promotion will hang by a thread attached to injuries and suspensions.

The signings are desperately needed whatever way you look at it. It was scary to look at the bench against Leicester City, despite the 1-0 win secured via Danny Guthrie's boot.

Hughton did not have a single player who had started a league game for the Magpies to call on and further injuries in any area would mean he is forced to throw the kids to the lions and I don't fancy their chances of avoiding becoming the main course for grizzled Championship campaigners.

United's players have done wonders so far this season and there is no doubt a strong bond has formed in the sparsely populated dressing room at St James's Park.

Yet, when you consider Newcastle, on paper, were a mid-table Premier League outfit 12 months ago, it should not really be much of a surprise that some of them are thriving a division below.

Alan Smith has been inspirational as captain, while the likes of Kevin Nolan, Joey Barton, Steven Taylor, Jonas Gutierrez, Jose Enrique and Shola Ameobi have looked every inch a Premier League footballer playing in the Championship.

Ultimately, though, for all of the back slapping they have received in August, so they should do given the reputations they arrived with and the money they earn.

Thank goodness for that. The Championship looks a poor, but hard-fought division and Newcastle are the class act with a point to prove to themselves and the rest of English football.

So far so good, but, despite the positive start and the unbeaten run, the clean sheets and the emergence of promising youngsters like Nile Ranger and Tamas Kadar, I can't help but feel there are still choppy waters ahead. After all, nothing is ever plain sailing for Newcastle United.