Hughton relishes new EPL season

New Norwich City manager Chris Hughton is already anticipating the new Premier League campaign after the release of the fixture list.

Hughton joined the Canaries this summer on a three-year contract, leaving Birmingham City to replace Paul Lambert who had defected to Aston Villa.

Norwich travel to Craven Cottage on the opening day of the season to take on Martin Jol’s Fulham and Hughton is looking forward to getting started, although he admitted that he would have preferred a home game first.

“Generally you’d like a home tie on the first day of the season, I think most people would, but we do have a couple of home games in pre-season for the supporters to be there,” Hughton told the club’s official website.

“I’m sure they will be in fantastic voice at Fulham, then of course we’re at home to QPR.

“I think overall it’s a fairly even spread of fixtures. There is always going to be run of games that are quite hard but I think overall it’s quite even.

“We’ve got Chelsea on December 26 and Manchester City on December 29. The minus is of course that it’s two very difficult games on the bounce, but on the plus side it’s two home games for our supporters, and it means that around Christmas time they don’t need to travel as far.”

Hughton is also looking forward to returning to face two of his former clubs in September, with Norwich taking on Tottenham on September 1 before travelling to Tyneside to face Newcastle United – who Hughton led to the 2009-10 Championship title – on September 22.

“It will be special going to Newcastle and Spurs,” Hughton said.

“I don’t like to harp on about it too much because it’s not about me, it’s about the team and what’s good for the team, but yes there is no doubt that those two games have a little bit more meaning to me personally.

“It’ll be a tough game with Newcastle, after what they showed last season. They certainly won’t be letting up, as it was a marvellous season.

“Knowing the club, and knowing the manager, they will be desperate to replicate that once again.

“I am aware that going to Newcastle was a difficult game last season, and I think for anybody going there this season will be equally as difficult.

“It’s a tough one, but on a personal note I’m looking forward to it, as I am with Tottenham. I have been back to Tottenham as a coach with Newcastle, not as a manager, so that’s one I’m looking forward to, as I’m sure Norwich fans are after the great result there last season.”