Hughes - Update

[bluemanc]

I see many have decided to take me to tsk in other threads... so here is my appraisal of where we (as a club) are and what we've achieve since 24th May.

Firstly,let me make it absolutely clear for the nth time. I do not dislike Hughes because he is a former Salford United Player... far from it and it disappoints me that Bill (DeNiro) takes that view. We have had the discussion face to face many times.

The reason i have doubted Hughes is simple - I dont think he had the pedigree or experience that I wanted to see in the hot seat at this club. It is a matter of record and opinion based on last seasons performances that my view was no less correct or incorrect than anyone elses. It was my view and I was not afraid to express. I had earlier in the season stated I would be happy for Hughes to prove me wrong - personally I dont think he did prove me wrong last season - we were a poor display too many times formy liking.

So even me, Hughes's biggest critic, must accept that the start to this season has been nothing short of sensational and the football that has been played hasn't been too bad either.

Whilst I wanted him out last season I must confess, based on what I've seen this season the Jury is back in and out about him (follow that if you can). I temper my expectations through looking at the following measures

Transfers - I think he is about 7/10 when you add value for monry to the purchases, though on the whole the purchases have been pretty good - though I definately exclude RSC from that number, and admittedly Lescott has pleasantly surprised me. Bridge not so brilliant nor TBH and Bellamy is questionable as a VFM acquisition. Barry, Adebayor and Toure are superb and hopefully Tevez will also prove to be VFM.

Games Played - Can't fault 4 wins out of 4 without conceding, though I do suggest people try to not get carried away as we have not played anyone we wouldn't have expected to have beaten (even last season). If we are still unbeaten after 5 league games anyone that does not think he deserves a go should have a serious rethink. That said, with all the financial resources at his disposal I genuinely believe anyone with professional coaching badges would struggle to not create a decent side.

General approach - I applaud his team selection for the Carling Cup though for me (and I know this isn't in keepimng with many opinions on hers) I don't like his media style think he is too vanilla and needs to try and become a little more interesting and engaging.

So there you have it... Jimharri go ahead take the piss if you must....

Hughes, It's over to you.

hi tony, hope you are well, i dont think anyone will take the piss, as you say we have had this debate face to face many times, i know your opinions of hughes and i'm glad you have now accepted he has been doing well enough for the jury to be out, thats a start and futher than i expected from you.
not all hughes haters have your honesty though, they just sit behind a keyboard shouting negatives when quite frankly they are neither justified or welcome.

as i have said you last season lets wait and see when its HIS team then judge, that i think is only right and proper, so far he's done well.

long may it continue.

despite your funny accent and blindness to managerial ability its great to hear from you and we need a beer:)

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2owcQDvQLc[/youtube]
Good idea taking him for a drink Bill:)

 

[Mike D]

I see many have decided to take me to tsk in other threads... so here is my appraisal of where we (as a club) are and what we've achieve since 24th May.

Firstly,let me make it absolutely clear for the nth time. I do not dislike Hughes because he is a former Salford United Player... far from it and it disappoints me that Bill (DeNiro) takes that view. We have had the discussion face to face many times.

The reason i have doubted Hughes is simple - I dont think he had the pedigree or experience that I wanted to see in the hot seat at this club. It is a matter of record and opinion based on last seasons performances that my view was no less correct or incorrect than anyone elses. It was my view and I was not afraid to express. I had earlier in the season stated I would be happy for Hughes to prove me wrong - personally I dont think he did prove me wrong last season - we were a poor display too many times formy liking.

So even me, Hughes's biggest critic, must accept that the start to this season has been nothing short of sensational and the football that has been played hasn't been too bad either.

Whilst I wanted him out last season I must confess, based on what I've seen this season the Jury is back in and out about him (follow that if you can). I temper my expectations through looking at the following measures

Transfers - I think he is about 7/10 when you add value for monry to the purchases, though on the whole the purchases have been pretty good - though I definately exclude RSC from that number, and admittedly Lescott has pleasantly surprised me. Bridge not so brilliant nor TBH and Bellamy is questionable as a VFM acquisition. Barry, Adebayor and Toure are superb and hopefully Tevez will also prove to be VFM.

Games Played - Can't fault 4 wins out of 4 without conceding, though I do suggest people try to not get carried away as we have not played anyone we wouldn't have expected to have beaten (even last season). If we are still unbeaten after 5 league games anyone that does not think he deserves a go should have a serious rethink. That said, with all the financial resources at his disposal I genuinely believe anyone with professional coaching badges would struggle to not create a decent side.

General approach - I applaud his team selection for the Carling Cup though for me (and I know this isn't in keepimng with many opinions on hers) I don't like his media style think he is too vanilla and needs to try and become a little more interesting and engaging.

So there you have it... Jimharri go ahead take the piss if you must....

Hughes, It's over to you.

As ever a well balanced post as ever good to see you stillaround . DOn't let the sheep get you downmate

 

[Blue Dove]

Your opinion is expressed really well and I admire the fact that it is not just a " Hughes (or anyone else) is a wanker" thread.
I don't disagree with your VFM opinions either if we were running a normal club budget.
The owners have given MH the go ahead to get the strongest squad together as quickly as possible to challenge asap. I don't believe that they think they have secured any bargains either, they don't really care and neither should we.
If you have paid out £25 mill on a player when your budget is £45 mill it is a huge chunk. £25 mill of £250 mill doesn't seem so bad!
Also I like MH deadpanning the media. They are a bunch of slime balls who will pick up on any comment and magnify it against our club. So keep em guessing Mark.

Scorer
What is are your feelings to my analysis of VFM points.
Genuine interest.

 

[scorer]

Your opinion is expressed really well and I admire the fact that it is not just a " Hughes (or anyone else) is a wanker" thread.
I don't disagree with your VFM opinions either if we were running a normal club budget.
The owners have given MH the go ahead to get the strongest squad together as quickly as possible to challenge asap. I don't believe that they think they have secured any bargains either, they don't really care and neither should we.
If you have paid out £25 mill on a player when your budget is £45 mill it is a huge chunk. £25 mill of £250 mill doesn't seem so bad!
Also I like MH deadpanning the media. They are a bunch of slime balls who will pick up on any comment and magnify it against our club. So keep em guessing Mark.

Scorer
What is are your feelings to my analysis of VFM points.
Genuine interest.

As MH has unlimited funds and has spent well in some areas and not so in others I feel someone should be held to account, hence my VFM points.

But as you say, £25m as a part of £45m is a lot different to it being a part of £250m, or even £1000,000 (where will it end).

I dont like us paying over the odds thats all really.

 

[Blue Dove]

Scorer
What is are your feelings to my analysis of VFM points.
Genuine interest.

As MH has unlimited funds and has spent well in some areas and not so in others I feel someone should be held to account, hence my VFM points.

But as you say, £25m as a part of £45m is a lot different to it being a part of £250m, or even £1000,000 (where will it end).

I dont like us paying over the odds thats all really.

Hopefully Wembley and the Premiership fella!

 

[arthur7171]

Make sure everyone votes for Mark Hughes as Manager of the Month:
<a class="postlink" href="http://www.premierleague.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">www.premierleague.com</a>

 

[jay_mcfc]

Jury still well and truly out. Great start to the season but come on, he's spent a bit and has some top quality players. The start really isn't anything you wouldn't expect.

 

[Marvin]

I see many have decided to take me to tsk in other threads... so here is my appraisal of where we (as a club) are and what we've achieve since 24th May.

Firstly,let me make it absolutely clear for the nth time. I do not dislike Hughes because he is a former Salford United Player... far from it and it disappoints me that Bill (DeNiro) takes that view. We have had the discussion face to face many times.

The reason i have doubted Hughes is simple - I dont think he had the pedigree or experience that I wanted to see in the hot seat at this club. It is a matter of record and opinion based on last seasons performances that my view was no less correct or incorrect than anyone elses. It was my view and I was not afraid to express. I had earlier in the season stated I would be happy for Hughes to prove me wrong - personally I dont think he did prove me wrong last season - we were a poor display too many times formy liking.

So even me, Hughes's biggest critic, must accept that the start to this season has been nothing short of sensational and the football that has been played hasn't been too bad either.

Whilst I wanted him out last season I must confess, based on what I've seen this season the Jury is back in and out about him (follow that if you can). I temper my expectations through looking at the following measures

Transfers - I think he is about 7/10 when you add value for monry to the purchases, though on the whole the purchases have been pretty good - though I definately exclude RSC from that number, and admittedly Lescott has pleasantly surprised me. Bridge not so brilliant nor TBH and Bellamy is questionable as a VFM acquisition. Barry, Adebayor and Toure are superb and hopefully Tevez will also prove to be VFM.

Games Played - Can't fault 4 wins out of 4 without conceding, though I do suggest people try to not get carried away as we have not played anyone we wouldn't have expected to have beaten (even last season). If we are still unbeaten after 5 league games anyone that does not think he deserves a go should have a serious rethink. That said, with all the financial resources at his disposal I genuinely believe anyone with professional coaching badges would struggle to not create a decent side.

General approach - I applaud his team selection for the Carling Cup though for me (and I know this isn't in keepimng with many opinions on hers) I don't like his media style think he is too vanilla and needs to try and become a little more interesting and engaging.

So there you have it... Jimharri go ahead take the piss if you must....

Hughes, It's over to you.

Ultimately down to results, but I'll be very disappointed if we lose our nest two games and we have a clamour on Bluemoon to sack the manager, but fair play to you for re-assessing your view. Got to do that all the time.

I agree with most of what you posted, but thought you were a bit harsh on Bridge. He has had a great start to this season.

 

[Kirkstall Blue]

The start is a lot better than I expected the extra quality he has bought shows.

 

[PowderBlue]

I feel similar to Scorer on the Hughes issue. I was an outer last term on the basis of his tactical approach. I accepted that he had little on the bench to change things to be fair. He has however displayed shrewd judgement in the off season with his approach to only select proven premiership players (This can be seen as risk-averse, and the smaller the risk the smaller the potential gain??) His tactics witht he media have been brilliant.

Yes we are unbeaten, and unscored against, which is brilliant and credit where credit is due.

I still need convincing however that he has the tactical skills as like last year he seems not to want to react when the game is turning against us - Wolves in particular. I hope that my doubts are proved false.