Clipboard Chris declares he`s not a 'yes man`

With the accusation that he is merely an Ashley patsy widespread and many of us thinking he`ll pretty much take anything the Executive Management team throw at him, Clipboard Chris Hughton has gone back on the offensive, stating that he`s his own boss and makes the player decisions. Speaking ahead of the Peterborough clash, he said:

"Does it hurt if people say I am a yes man? No. I have one responsibility and that is to manage this group of lads, my remit is simply that. At this moment we are sitting on top of the table so we must be doing something right.

We have to make sure that continues. I can only work within my brief, and that is to manage this group of lads and football club. We know we have had financial restraints for obvious reasons and all I can do to is work around them.

I have not been told figures available for January. What I have been told is that it`s my responsibility to determine what I need to bring in, if I need to strengthen going into the second half of the season. The board would support me in that.

In my endeavours to get where we want to be in January, the board will support me in terms of tacking what needs to be tackled. If we have injuries we are stretched so I will target the areas and players needed. And I have been told I will be supported. Getting players out has not been mentioned.

I will have the final say. I have had no indication that there are any players here who want to leave. That is what I would expect, if we are able to sustain the position we are in, it`s more a case of adding then letting people go. My intention is not to make this squad weaker."

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