A new face? What like Pochettino? Or Puel? Or Pelligrino? Yes, we only ever employ the same old lags from the managerial marry-go-round I am also surprised to see you on here bearing in mind your previously expressed low opinion of Saints fans. But thanks for your opinion and I am sure that the next time we find ourselves flirting with relegation, an unproven and inexperienced manager will be our first thought.
In fairness to the Saints board our last 4 managers have all been new to the Premier League (last 5 if you count Adkins). Right now we need a change, a short term boost, so I can understand the decision to go for Hughes. Bringing someone new in would be a big risk in terms of any adaptation period and I suspect negotiations would take longer as well (if they could be persuaded to come here at all).
All I would say at this moment is he has taken on a huge task.......Personally I wish him and the team all the luck in the world and just hope he is able help us stay in the premier. The odds at the mo seem to be against him saving us but he is a better bet than what we had and will get most of our support. Just give him a fair chance..........
Usually I find myself in about 80% agreement with you, mate. On this one make that 100%! I don't quite understand the feeling of optimism this appointment has generated,and it could all go to pieces on Sunday, but right now I don't care about logic. A bit of totally irrational hope will do!
If he can get us playing to 50% of our potential, rather than a season average of about 20%, we can stay up. The style of play now is going to be really telling as to how well he’ll be received across the eight games, I guess. Some attacking intent will go a long way.
Thanks for the diligent research. I was going along with the Hughes is useless train until I saw a full run down of his results. He has had a bad season to follow a lot of success with limited resources. May not save us but we have more of a chance now. No one else out there who would take us on at the moment.
Despite the merry go round only one team out of the billion or so PL teams who have changed managers this season havent improved afterwards. We've got 8 games left and we're not in the drop zone, teams around us have a similar run in and we only need a slight improvement compared to those around us to avoid the drop. Plenty of reasons to be optimistic.
Here lies the test. He has previously gone into clubs to tighten them up and has started by making them difficult to beat. I feel we need to become a team that looks to win, so it will be a different approach for Sparky with us.... I hope.
What I think we get is a bit of knowhow. If we are at home in a must win game he probably won't play with a lone striker. Likewise if we go 2-0 down he won't wait till half time to bring on a proven international striker to try to get something out of the game. If we don't get that from him with all his experience, then I may see if I can jump on the manager merry go round as this season it has been so bleeding obvious what we needed to do to get a goal or at least look like a goal was likely. I like him. Will I like him in 11 games? of course Be nice to announce a new 5 year contract after the cup final and finishing 11th in the league
Welcome, Mark. Saints are currently just above the drop zone...so you could say in our own hands. We only have to do better than 3 other teams to survive....though 4 or 5 would be nice. Our team has been drifting along and just had a very poor result....there was no way that Pellegrino was going to be able to lift them or the fans in the remaining 8 games. We have managed to find an experienced EPL manager who will be well respected by the players.....who want to believe and be encouraged. As Mark said, there isn't time for a gradual change....we have to hit the ground running. I think the players will respond to him because they are already eager to do so. For all those who doubt him.....who do you think is out there, who is EPL experienced and willing to come to Saints poised over the drop. Most wouldn't come when we were looking pretty! I wish he was the greatest manager that walked the Earth, that he had more time, and a team of better players. I also want to be thirty and 8 stone....it ain't going to happen. I think given the mistakes....Pellegrino not working out and then leaving it too long because they tried to show faith and loyalty...Mark Hughes on a temporary contract with the remit to save us is looking good to me.
I’d be interested to know how he sets up this mornings intro and training. Could it be that after the initial handshake and smiles all round, we get something like. ‘Ok lads, Kelvin will be working with all those except the ones picked for last Saturday. They’ll be with me for a while whilst we have a little chat etc about things, if you get my drift. Thanks’. I’m sure that could be interesting! Words like commitment passion and effort, wearing the shirt etc might be part of the ‘chat’?
Out of interest where has this perception that he is a hard arse on the training pitch come from? Never seemed to me the type to be flying off the handle at players based on watching him on the sideline/post match interviews. Has there been some bust ups between him and his players before that I have missed? As I've said before, thanks to Les Reed and the board this is the best we could've hoped for in this situation so has my backing. Lets see where we are in 8 games time and re-asses the long term future then.
This represents a very good opportunity for Mark.I like what he has said so far, and if he can get the squad listening & believing him, his task won't be as difficult as it at first seems. I've grown a little tired of the experimental managers & their over exaggerated CV's, so personally I hope this works out well for all involved. I like the fact we have history with him, and my memories of him are more positive than that of others I have read over the last 24 hours. Be nice to see Les's media black out come to an end as well, but only time can take care of that now. uts
I really don't get the luke warm response to Mark Hughes. Especially as our supporters have been trumpeting "anyone but Pellegrino" all season.
Welcome Mark! Let’s crack on, and see how many points we can muster. Thank you for trying at least to save us. For any out there whinging that we should of got him,him or him we didn’t we got Mark Hughes and he’s going to try and keep us in the premiership,so stop the wining,stop the whinging and get behind him and his team. Relax........rant over
From what I have seen most fans are saying he isn't the answer long term and kicking off because of that. They don't seem to realise that this could be just an 8 game thing and he is probably the best we could've got to ensure our PL survival. If he was handed a 3 year contract or something in the summer then I could understand fans being annoyed, but the way it is now I don't get it.
I don't see him coming out all guns blazing with the team. I hope the initial discussion will be more introductions and letting them vent a bit of steam....followed by a touch of Henry V at Agincourt.
P.s. I liked what he said about how he probably tried to sign half of them at one time or another. That will have gone down well with the team....showing he respects them, but also shows that he is familiar with the squad.
