That, more than anything else, proved that Glenn Roeder is not interested in reputations. If a player performs, as Huntington has done without doubt, the name or the transfer fee doesn't matter.
And THAT ... more than anything else ... has made me believe Roeder will be the next Newcastle manager to lift a trophy. I never felt that with Sir Bobby, although I respected what he had done in the past, and I certainly never felt it when Graeme Souness walked through the door at St James' Park.
Robson had the respect to get big name players to sign, but too many took the piss, and that was sad. Freddy Shepherd knew it, and that was why he went for "hard man" Souness. But the Jock walked in with all guns blazing and he would never get any respect after that.
Huntington, the Carlisle-born centre-back was sent out into the fray in the hardest of all battles (against Chelsea) as a left back in the absence of the suspended Babayaro, and the boy did great. So why should a player, who was booed by Newcastle fans for his lack of interest in the Reading game, walk straight back into the team?
The 19-year-old's spoke to the Gazette.
Huntington: "My chance has come through injury, and of course I'm willing to take that. I've really enjoyed playing in front of 50,000 people. I had my home debut against Watford, and it was good to get a result in that game. Against Chelsea I slotted in at left back, which was totally new to me.
"It had been the same the week before as I'd never played at right back before. It was a first, but I thought it went OK. Steven and Rammy came in at right-back as well, and I started my the first two games there, so I know it's important to be versatile."
Praise indeed to the player ... but Roeder is the man with the guts to go with him ... and that must be great news for the followers of Newcastle United.
Roeder: "Paul's surpassed all my expectations since we had to throw him on a fortnight ago. I'd go as far as to say I'm pleasantly surprised with him. I intended being patient with him, and maybe giving him a game or two by the end of the season, but he's come in and let nobody down.
"I had to ask him to play against the champions on Wednesday night at left back, a position he's never played before in his life."
