I think Hughes has split the fans becasue he lacks personality, quite apart from his illustrious past as a rag hero. He's a grey man, and his personality is shown in the football on the pitch. Bacon face always said he was too introverted to be a good manager. I usually take bacon face comments with a pinch of salt, but this was discussing Hughes while at blackburn. I think his use of bellamy as his rent-a-gob is indicative of his lack of personality.
His tactics have been fairly dull and predicatble. The lack of imagination or flexibality to me is a worry. I think we will continue to struggle in such a manner as long hughes resists change. To look at a manager who doesnt seems to motivate his troops, or organise them particualy well, show any nouse his tacitcal ability, begs the question what is he good at?
I was set against him joining city and havn't changed my stance since then. I thought blackburn were a horrible side to watch, but well organised. He got the best out of some very average and over rated players (rSC cough) In the same manner that a distinctly average everton side could challenge top6 fotoball, for being consistant and well organised.
Obviously the Hughes fans will feel i am being unfair. He's brought in some good players, with the 200 mill, as i would expect from most managers! Were not doing too badly, not great, but were not in a crisis. He brought a more precived professional approach to the club, ireland last season looked great ( not hit the high notes this season although last performance showed some promise). And an obvious call is the give the man time, 1 and half seasons, 200 million, still a work in progress.
I dont know what will happen, but i feel he will be given the season to prove hismelf. If spurs or villa had spent 200 million i would expect them to battle it out for top 4 . Top 6 is the very lest a dissapoint but satisfactory result.
Hughes has indeed polarized the fanbase and it's up to him to unify it!
