How Alan Smith, Kevin Nolan and Fabricio Coloccini are rebuilding damaged reputations at Newcastle this season

By Simon Bird

Published 13:12 30/11/09

• 

Follow Simon Bird on Twitter

Reputations are being rebuilt by some high profile, highly-paid players at St James’s Park this season.

Alan Smith, Kevin Nolan, Fabricio Coloccini, Jose Enrique to name a few have knuckled down in the Championship and realised they have got to dig Newcastle out of a hole. They are emerging with great credit for their performances.

Sure, you could argue they are by far the biggest earners in the league and are only doing their job. They should never have got relegated last season, and only did so because of unprecedented and unsettling chaos behind the scenes.

They also have seasoned internationals in the squad who could be playing at a higher level. And you could claim that some only stayed on because no clubs came in with offers to match their wages on Tyneside.

But there is no disagreement that Chris Hughton’s squad have organised themselves into a feisty, committed, united unit intent on righting the wrongs of the past year.

There is no room for complacency, of course. No room for thinking key players can be flogged off in January because they are steaming ahead of the chasing pack.

Hughton reckon his men are not getting the credit they deserve. Well don’t worry, Chris, they will. Once the job is complete and promotion is won.

All that will be needed then is a plan for Premier League survival.

Follow Simon Bird on Twitter

Fancy winning £3,000 for FREE this month? Play Mirror Football Streak for your chance to win cash prizes! Start predicting now!