Paul Thomas/Getty ImagesEven after a rough holiday spell, the even-keeled Chris Hughton has kept relegation distractions away from his Norwich side.

Chris Hughton is universally recognised inside the game as one of the nicest men in football.

In the cut-throat, financially-driven excess of Premier League combat, that is some accolade. For those who feel it rather patronisingly hints at weakness, Hughton would not have flourished in the soap opera of Newcastle or successfully stabilised the mess that is Birmingham City without having a hard edge. Hughton has also had to ride the storms in his first season at the helm at Norwich City.

The visit of this weekend's opponents, Fulham, will evoke memories for many of an embarrassingly inept start to his tenure on the opening day of the campaign when Mousa Demeble inspired the Cottagers to a 5-0 romp that would have been even worst if not for John Ruddy's defiance. Further early season setbacks against Liverpool and Chelsea raised the anxiety levels in Norfolk, but Hughton's masterful response was to refine a style of play and settle on a starting roster that underpinned a club record Premier League 10-match unbeaten run prior to Christmas.

Festive cheer, however, remained a priceless commodity. Four consecutive league defeats before a drab goalless affair against his former side Newcastle were the precursor to a horrific FA Cup home defeat to non-league Luton which followed another 5-0 away reverse at Liverpool. This all came in the space of seven days. The wagons circled again to buffet Hughton and his squad from outside forces demanding January reinforcements as a prerequisite to halt an inevitable slide towards the abyss.

City managed to refresh their squad in the window without sealing the marquee signing many craved, but it was largely through the labours of those already on the payroll that they responded to fresh adversity with two encouraging Premier League draws against Tottenham and then QPR last weekend.

- Canaries sign Kamara on loan

Hughton's amenable approach to his media work perhaps goes a long way to reinforcing the favourable public perception. The tone is always measured, the logic reasoned -- whether his team have performed or not. But at Loftus Road on Saturday afternoon, Hughton let slip a revealing insight -- he had not even thought about relegation during the worst spells of a testing debut season. Further, there had been no discussions on that toxic topic with any of his squad. Why would there, one might ask, given Norwich remain seven points clear of those in greatest peril despite a worrying New Year trough?

Yet, in the shifting weekly currents of that scrap at the bottom it takes a strong character not to have even contemplated the 'what if' in those darkest recesses of the mind. Hughton’s honesty is admirable. It tells you as much about the manager as it does his belief in those men under his command. Such belief is a force which can help insulate Norwich from being sucked back into the mix towards the lower reaches.

Whenever you speak to those who really matter inside the Norwich camp, one theme is prevalent among all others. The Canaries believe they are good enough to stay in the Premier League. They just have to convince everyone else
.

• Recommend0
• Tweet0
• Email