Chris Hughton will do things his way at the Canaries, according to his pal and former team-mate, John Polston. Picture: Denise Bradley

Chris Hughton will put his own stamp on Norwich City - John Polston

David Cuffley Friday, June 29, 2012
11:20 AM

Norwich City players and fans can expect a very different style of management from Chris Hughton – but he’s still the perfect man for the job, according to one of his former team-mates.

John Polston, who played with Hughton at Tottenham Hotspur in the late 1980s before spending eight years with the Canaries, admits the new boss is a very different character to predecessor Paul Lambert.

But he believes he is the right choice to try to build on what Lambert achieved in three remarkable years at Carrow Road, by establishing the club in the Premier League.

With the return to pre-season training just 10 days away, Polston said: “Norwich is a big job and I think Chris is the ideal appointment.

“I would say they are totally different characters. Paul Lambert was quite vociferous on the touchline, Chris is different.

“I can’t imagine Chris being a shouter. He leads by example in terms of what he’s done in his playing and coaching career to earn the respect of people.

“I think he’s quite relaxed in his approach. He’s not a ranter and raver but he knows what he’s talking about.”

Polston, 44, remembers Hughton the player as a very good influence on younger players.

“I haven’t seen Chris for a few years but I played with him at Tottenham in the first team and for a stint in the reserves when he was not in the side,” he said.

“I was there eight years and was always grateful for the advice he gave me. He was always one who gave his opinion to the youngsters, he was always good in that respect.

“It was only a matter of time before he went into a coaching role. He did the groundwork at Spurs, and did his apprenticeship over many years before getting his own job as a manager.

“He did a good job at Newcastle and was unfortunate to lose his job, but if the chairman doesn’t want you there you are on a hiding to nothing.”

Hughton subsequently took Birmingham into the Championship play-offs in his one year in charge at St Andrew’s before being appointed at Norwich three weeks ago. Polston, who played 263 first team games for City, scoring 12 goals, was delighted with the way they adapted to life in the Premier League and believes Hughton can carry on the good work.

“It was an absolutely amazing season. After getting promotion from the Championship you’re usually the bookies’ favourites to go down, but Paul Lambert bought well and got a good squad of players and in the end they stayed up with ease,” he said.

“When you are promoted the target is to stay in the Premier League. Everything depends how well you start but I would think that will be the main target again this season because there are a lot of teams similar to Norwich – and maybe a good cup run to go with it.”

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22 comments

Sorry, can't spell. Maybe I should write the article for the EDP and post it for them.

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Preston Canary

Saturday, June 30, 2012
Althugh, Sky report that he was mainly used at right back for Rangers. Apparently he can play anywhere across the defence. Oh and he has 15 caps for Scotland.

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Preston Canary

Saturday, June 30, 2012
Good signing with lots of experience. Will be interested to see how he gets on in the premiership. Good start CH.

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CovCanary

Saturday, June 30, 2012
Free transfer, can't be bad! Although I admit to not knowing much about the lad. Had to read about it on the BBC... The EDP are delaying their story to give them more time to try twist Paul lambert into it somewhere;)

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Norfolk'n'good

Saturday, June 30, 2012
Yes, I was quite surprised to see that we had signed Whittaker on the BBC website when there has been nothing in the EDP. Hopefully he is decent. Do they have any full backs we can pinch??

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Preston Canary

Saturday, June 30, 2012
Good signing that, free transfer too? even better business. We needed to strengthen our defence so glad we have.

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ImDrunky

Saturday, June 30, 2012
As it does not seem to have filtered through here yet, Hughton has signed Rangers' Scottish international defender Steven Whittaker on a free transfer. 6'1", 28 yrs old, 4 year contract. It begins.

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Swiss Canary

Saturday, June 30, 2012
So much negativity, give Hughton some time, I'm sure he isn't doing nothing. There's not much happening with other teams too, it's just the way it is.

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ImDrunky

Saturday, June 30, 2012
@Robin Hood - lovin the Tosh link, just need a nod-on to Keegan - wonder how many other NCFC old boys have some tenuous link with Hughton, suspect we will be finding out (thanks Archant). Still maybe the return to training and a few signings will save us from that!

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LR Series 2A

Saturday, June 30, 2012
yawn yawn yawn... lets have some real news...like chris hughton persuades grant holt to stay..or is ch still suffering from jet lag. c'mon gaffer get on with it!

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lordyfan

Friday, June 29, 2012
Well there's a ringing endorsement....NOT ! Polston- our most useless player ever (with the possible exception of Dennis Van Wijk). When Cantona stamped on him, I nearly ran on the pitch to help Cantona. PS: Any truth in the rumour the Unhappy Hammers have now dropped their interest in the Horse?

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Timbo

Friday, June 29, 2012
Another 'not really a news story' story... Whats coming next? A view on Hughtons forthcoming season from a man who used to clean his windows or an in depth interview with the girl who used to cut his wifes hair ten years ago... Lets have some proper news or nothing!

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smalltownboy

Friday, June 29, 2012
Another 'not really a news story' story... Whats coming next? A view on Hughtons forthcoming season from a man who used to clean his windows or an in depth interview with the girl who used to cut his wifes hair ten years ago... Lets have some proper news or nothing!

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smalltownboy

Friday, June 29, 2012
It was reported today that Karsa and Culverhouse are still wanted by Lambert, but I'm not sure that old Tosh would join from Macedonia to fill any gap in the City management team.

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Robin Hood

Friday, June 29, 2012
Does anyone get the impression from this story that Polston has had very little contact with Hughton since their days together at Spurs ........and so has very little to contribute to a NCFC story about Hughton..... hang-on I forgot, its the close season so any old tenuously linked tosh will do to fill the column.... give me strength.

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LR Series 2A

Friday, June 29, 2012
Phil Atterly is serving in the Army and is unavailable at present as he has just been posted.

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Swiss Canary

Friday, June 29, 2012
DubC - famous childhood stamp-collectors include John Lennon, Freddy Mercury and Robert Plant. I am not sure that CH is a stamp collector as philately will get you nowhere.

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Swiss Canary

Friday, June 29, 2012
If he is interested in Phil Atterly and he can score goals tell the board to sign him quickly

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Pondlife

Friday, June 29, 2012
Perhaps Hughton is out to create a complete squad of 'Smilers'... I just hope the players look happier on personalised stamps than they do in the new shirt video clips!

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Robin Hood

Friday, June 29, 2012
Just wanted to ask Brewer, Swiss & Co if they were aware of CH's potential interest in philately ?

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Dubai Canary

Friday, June 29, 2012
I for one am really looking forward to the new season. And I agree with Polston, Hughton is the right man for the job!! I do believe he will motivate the players to a higher level of positive football and help the club to overcome what is known as "second season syndrome". You just have to look at Hughton's achievements at Newcastle and lately Birmingham to realise we have made a brilliant choice for Lambert's replacement. It can only get better. OTBC

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Canarygirl

Friday, June 29, 2012
I for one am really looking forward to the new season. And I agree with Polston, Hughton is the right man for the job!! I do believe he will motivate the players to a higher level of positive football and help the club to overcome what is known as "second season syndrome". You just have to look at Hughton's achievements at Newcastle and lately Birmingham to realise we have made a brilliant choice for Lambert's replacement. It can only get better. OTBC

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Canarygirl

Friday, June 29, 2012