As I said before if we don't sign Hughes it has to be someone really special....and, although a good side (better than we performed anyway) are we that attractive other than as an entry level to the EPL. The team needed lifting and Mark did that.....I fully expect next season to be a decent one. The argument some fans are putting forward is that Hughes will only get us midtable....like that is some kind of disaster. Poch made us look great....but we had different players then. You have to cut your suit according to your cloth. Nothing wrong with a rebuilding season or two...I think we really need that....especially with a new owner whose long-term plans we are unaware of.
The board fudged it with the previous 2 managers, this one they got right...for now at least. If they were to appoint someone else and then it didn't work, it won't be pretty for them. Everyone would say why didn't they keep Hughes on! I fully expect Hughes to get the job, he has earned it and if 80-90% of fans want him, then it's a bit of a no brainer really. I like the fact that we have an ex Saint as manager and so far it's looking more Alan Ball, than Steve Wigley!
Are you saying that because Setien looks almost identical to Hughes? I honestly don’t think that even our board would be stupid enough to appoint someone from a lower-level Spanish club with no Premier League experience. Again.
No I just don't think the board will change their style because of one bad season after 5 good ones and one average one. Hughes has done what he was brought in to do and I can see them going back to the usual tactics when recruiting managers. This is all redundant if Reed leaves and a new man is brought in for his job.
I’m only going to say this once more. If for whatever reason it isn’t Hughes, then Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino.
Why do I get the impression year in year out that this board is never prepared for anything?? Do they have to get permission from the owners every time a decision has to be made?? Are they not having regular meetings to keep the owners in the loop?? There is something amateurish about the whole set up there really is. Or is it we have to await for Les to make up his mind wether he is going or staying? Yet more delays so we are struggling to sign players yet again on the final day?......I despair of this lot I truly do.........
Poch made us look great and we finished 8th so we mourned his passing.. Puel took us to Wembley, blooded youngsters and we finished 8th so we sacked him. Hmmmm. I think Poch is top drawer, and far too good for Spurs, but it was Koeman who broke the points record and got us into Europe. Hughes has the backing of the dressing room, which is a great start. We haven't seen yet how he might manage when not in a dire situation. For example will he, like Puel, give the academy players a proper go, or will he be like Koeman and play safe? Surely, even this bunch must realise they need to change. Poch worked. Koeman was a bit of a scoop at the time. In Puel and Pellegrino we went from mind-numbing to simply bloody awful. So let's stop shopping in the EU, and go for someone who's just kept us up. If they want a precedent, look at Pearson. We sacked him after he'd saved us and appointed the Usless Dutchman. That worked out well.
Heading over next week to Atlanta to see the 'new' grandson (put that in quotes as he is now 2 months old) - I'll see if I can put a good word in
High pressing, attacking style. Tick. Ex manager of Barcelona. Tick. Took Paraguay to quarter final of World Cup and final of Cupa America. Tick. Ex manager of Argentina. Tick. Would (probably) come here. Tick. Took relegation threatened team in Newells (Poch's old club) and turned them in title contenders. MASSIVE TICK.
Over to you! (I hope we don't bugger about, and we take Hughes on, as he certainly deserves the chance, plus the players like him. But I don't trust our board one bit not to cock it up).
Despair not. Hughes will be our man by the end of this week. My cat's relying on it. She's already eyeing a move to the Man City supporter's house over the road.
Annoyingly, they are playing at home this Sunday, but we don't go out until next Wednesday. They are then next at home the week after we come back as they have 2 away games. Really wanted another trip to the Mercedes Stadium to watch a 'Soccer' match this time