ESPN Soccernet - Correspondents - Manchester City- In support of Mark Hughes.

Posted by Wallace Poulter on 03/20/2009

I know, I know; most of you are scratching your head asking where this came from? I was certainly one of the first to call for the ouster of the City manager when he played Vassell as a starter. I have grumbled, loudly at times, about the tactics and base formations.

But yet another round of Rag supporting gutter press whispers has started again and regardless of previous comments it is time to back the manager.

If Hughes was going to be replaced that time was the first week of January. Given that it did not occur then we have to reasonably conclude that the new owners decided to give Hughes a chance to prove himself with City. And here's the crucial point, that isn't or shouldn't be through the end of the season. Hughes has had effectively only one transfer window, January, to start to shape his squad and at the very least should be given the summer transfer window and next January's transfer window to show his squad building prowess.

No, this doesn't mean I like everything Hughes does. That's not the point. Somewhere along the line City have to give a manger the long term backing to get it right. I suggest that this time is now. We've seen, at Chelsea, what happens with a managerial merry-go-round. I don't think anyone reasonably thinks Scolari is a bad manager yet their impatience has cost them his services.

Horrible draw in the UEFA Cup today. Hamburg first and if we get by them then it would be the winner of the Werder Bremen vs. Udinese tie, and as I've stated I feel Bremen are the best team in the competition and Udinese the weakest left. I would be very surprised if City now win the UEFA Cup and therefore grabbing the 7th place in the league has become even more important. City need European football to continue their growth. Perversely I suspect that the lack of European football would be beneficial to the club in trying to break into the top four, Villa this season have started to show the effects of too many fixtures and a lack of focus regardless of their capitulation in the last round of the competition. However to attract the next level of talent to allow the club to challenge for this, we need the draw of European play. Catch 22 I'm afraid.

Comments

Posted by TAN on 03/21/2009

Mark hughes victory over AaB was lucky and they booked their quarter final.. but i can see why the 2nd leg see them 2 goal down in the last 10min.. Ched Evans simply don't have what it takes to play beside Robinho or even a striker.. Darius Vasell or Caceido can do better than Ched Evan.. Ireland can definetly better option.. Elano is a talent which Mark Hughes neglect.. if Mark continue this lousy formation.. i reckon their luck is running out soon when they face German side.. anyway, i am glad that Bellamy is making his return

Posted by Pete W. on 03/21/2009

Mr. Poulter,

I rarely ever agree with you, but today I agree with every word you have said. Sound writing today!

I think that it is unfair to sack Hughes when he has barely had a chance to get the bad apples out. He has a squad of almost 30 players. Give him a chance to trim it down and get his players in and I think we will see great improvement!

HUGHES IN!

Again, spot on today!

Posted by Martin Nazimek on 03/23/2009

Wallace,

I am a huge fan of City living in the USA. We dont get a lot of publicity here so I spread the word as much as I can to all the people I know about city. i really enjoy reading your column each week. I do agree with you about the manager. We need to get behind him and try to reach 7 place this year. Yet when I watch the matches there seems to be a lack of creativity from his side. This might be because some of the players dont want to play for him or listen to him. Hope thats not the case. Keep writing and I will keep reading. City till I die.

Posted by Tripp Maxwell on 03/23/2009

I agree. Hughes needs to be given some time. I'm not a tactical expert so I can't intelligently comment on that, but the season hasn't been a total catastrophe. With any reasonable away form, it's feasible City could be challenging for 5th place, possibly 4th. Plus, there were some results thrown away at home, 2 nil up on Liverpool for example. Making the quarters of the UEFA cup is certainly positive. The last City match I attended was the '76 League Cup Final, moved back to US after that. I also saw the 4-0 home thrashing of United in that same competition(it was the only Derby I attended). It's hard to fathom that they haven't won anything since.

Posted by John on 03/23/2009

Wally I agree that we should support Sparky and at least give him another transfer window, but at the same time his tactics baffle me to the bone. I keep asking myself, as alot of city fans should, is this the man that we need to get the best out of this talented squad?

Posted by chris on 03/24/2009

It's always the manager's head that's on the chopping block whenever things go wrong. Players who are paid in the millions must somehow be held accountable when they are on the field playing. I always believe that Mark Hughes is a sound manager and a good tactician. Mark's best move so far this season is definitely the partnership of Kompany and DeJong in midfield. They are such a stable force when playing together, flanked by Pablo and Ireland. This is what we're missing all this while. As for Elano, he may be creative but he's defensive skills are questionable. Patience Citizens, patience and let Mark do his job and I'm sure he'll fine tune this team come next season. Remember this, money cannot buy success... but it can lead to stability which translates into success.

Posted by Stu Allan on 03/24/2009

I agree with you about giving Hughes more time to shape the team to his vision. However he needs to get more out of the players he has. Robinho is finding out what every non English player find out when they first play in the Premier league, it is a lot more physical and cruelling than what they think. He is definitly showed a drop in form as the season goes on. Hughes has to find a way to play both Elano and Robinho together that plays on both of their strengths. I live and Canada and have been a life long city fan,,long live City and here's to the coming years of success when Man City will become the number 1 team in Manchester

Posted by Afrizan Shah on 03/24/2009

I'm the fan (malaysian) of MCFC since kevin keegan take charge the club as a manager. in the 1st season MCFC in EPL, I can see so many improvement they do. I would like to see they can win UEFA cup this season. In Citizen squad, we have so many talented player like elano, zabaleta, shay given, SWP, ireland and the other. hopefully martin petrov can be recover more quickly cause I like to see his style of play from left wing...at the same time...Robinho can be partner with bellamy, bojinov or benjamin. you can try to imagine it...Given, zabaleta, bridge, Onuha@micah richards, Dunnie, Elano, Kompany@Stivie, SWP, Robinho and Bellamy.....that was owesome man...

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