And the Norwich manager hopes the Canaries' comfortable 3-0 win over Peterborough in the FA Cup third round will prove to be a turning point for his side after their recent run of four consecutive defeats.
Hughton's team face struggling Newcastle at Carrow Road on Saturday and the 54-year-old hopes to get back on track despite insisting that they have been unfortunate not to collect more points over Christmas.
The former Magpies boss believes that strong form in cup competitions can breed confidence in the squad in the top flight.
Chris Hughton: "Although they've been very tight games, we were on the back of four defeats so, irrespective of what the next game was, it's one you want to win.
"We want to stay in the cup for as long as possible and I think you can gain confidence when you are able to use the squad and see good attitudes.
"Considering both of them [Jackson and Elliott Bennett] haven't played as much football as they would like, I thought they were good right through the 90 minutes.
"They were a constant threat and gave us really good options up front.
"We've had a fairly settled side but that's why the players train like they do and that's why you want the competition.
"Of course the result is what you want but it's the attitude and the performance that pleased me the most.
"I think whatever the game was, I would have played the same team. It's about timing and we've also got a team that have played a lot of games together.
"Those players deserved to play, and they've put themselves very much in the frame for the next round."