Newcastle defender Steven Taylor says the squad is a much happier camp to be in compared to last season.
The Magpies were in turmoil over the summer following relegation to the Championship – with a long list of players heading for the exit door at St James’ Park, without a manager and without a buyer.
But Chris Hughton deserves great credit for guiding the Magpies to the top of the Championship in the wake of all the off-field distractions.
Monday night’s 1-0 win at Preston restored the Toon’s two-point lead at the top of the table and Taylor says he has never enjoyed a season so much – not least because the atmosphere amongst the players is the best he has ever known.
Taylor said: “I am loving it. There is a totally different mood around the place. We are going into training now and having a right good laugh.
“We know when we have to be serious but we also know that it’s good to have a joke as a group of lads.
“The banter is absolutely fantastic at the moment – and I have to say it hasn’t always been like that.”
