Mark Hughes: Why Queens Park Rangers Should Have Faith in Their Manager By Emma Booth(Contributor) on October 16, 2012 1,142 reads 9 Use your ← → (arrow) keys to browse more stories History dictates changing managers at the first sign of trouble doesn't always work out for the best. You only have to look to last season—and Wolverhampton Wanderers—to see that. Mick McCarthy was sacked after a run of poor results, however his successor managed an even worse string which left them bottom, and looking forward to a season in the Championship with cold Tuesday nights away at Hull. Mark Hughes has had a poor—no, shocking—start to the 2012/13 season, but is it time for Queens Park Rangers let him go, or keep the faith? My opinion is to stick with him. Hughes led Blackburn Rovers from relegation contenders to Europe in just two seasons a few years back. A transformation that surprised even the most hardcore Blackburn fans—and he did so on a much lesser budget and, dare I say, slightly less talented squad than he has available to him at Loftus Road. Hughes has a plethora of players to pick from—the majority of which would walk straight into half of the teams in the Premier League's starting 11—he just needs to make his mind up about which ones he wants to choose. A consistent team will lead to consistent performances and, ultimately, consistently better results. That consistency, however, will have to start at the top; with Hughes still in position, otherwise QPR will back to square one. Mark Hughes needs time—and time is what Tony Fernandes is keen to give him. However, if a manager who was less of a "big name" was in this position, would Fernandes be sticking so diligently with him? No—and he proved that through the sacking of Neil Warnock—but even then, he at least gave the now Leeds United manager until Christmas. What people tend to overlook, is that Hughes kept Rangers up last season, against all the odds. I don't think even he himself believed it was possible after losing to Wolves, Blackburn and Bolton—remember them? But through great strength, great leadership and solid tactics, Hughes pulled something magic out of his proverbial hat and gave QPR their second successive season in the Premier League. The biggest issue for Rangers—in my mind—is not necessarily the manager, but a back line leakier than a broken faucet. The defensive crisis that struck in September meant that Hughes was playing with a very makeshift back four. When Clint Hill starts at left-back, and Kieron Dyer makes it into the matchday squad at right-back, you know there is a problem. All credit to the latter, he played well, but neither would be your first choice full-back when you have Jose Bosingwa, Fabio da Silva and Armand Traore as options. Options that Hughes has had to do without—but now they are back fighting fit, perhaps the defensive woes that have haunted Rangers will be no more. Hughes has seemingly been given a chance to turn things around, but now has to reward the owners—and the fans—with some actual results. And not just a couple of wins against Reading and Southampton come November. Because if the next seven games go as poorly as the last, the cries of "Hughes Out" will be louder than the Hammersmith roundabout in rush hour. I don't love Hughes. But I don't hate him either. He kept QPR up once, what's to say he can't do the same this time around? Give the Welshman a free pass for his abysmal start, and hopefully Rangers fans will see their team will push up the table. It only takes one win to get the ball rolling, and maximum points against Everton could see QPR leap out of the bottom three, and Hughes can take a deep sigh of relief. At least until next week.
Kiwi, great that you stand by your opinion - an attitude that does you credit. My own opinion is that MH had little to do with last year's miracle, he has not seemingly learned from last year - which is seen from his Summer recruitment policy - and more importantly, seems too stubborn to learn or admit his mistakes and failures. I believe that 2 new dawns are just around the corner: 1. We get out of this mess and steadily rise to become a Fulham/WBA. 2. Relegation and return to the "Wilderness years" I'm scared as I have no iota of a clue how TF reacts or if his and his investor's have the appetite for life in the Championship. Let's be frank, there is no limelight there.
to be fair danish it is emma booths opinion although it is one i mostly agree with i think the results will start to go our way but as she says if the next seven games go as poorly as the last, the cries of "Hughes Out" will be louder than the Hammersmith roundabout in rush hour.
If the next seven games go as the last, some very serious businessmen will be looking at safeguarding their investment and that will inevitably cost MH his job. Pep Guardiola? Has the advantage that Abramovich wants him!! I know. Ridiculous but one can dream!!
I'll second that .................. only when or if he loses the dressing room, he or any manager should go. Hopefully this won't happen ............. CAUSE, we are going to finally get some much needed and deserved wins, staring with Everton ( we hope ). Let's stay strong people, better days are coming ..............
The problem with sacking MH (which i'm firmly against at this point) is that isn't the whole coaching/scouting/backroom staff MH's crew? How many of those ppl would leave aswell if MH goes? I think the club could go into chaos if MH was to get the sack
Yeah, this is a pretty balanced and intelligent article spoiled by an ugly slip into Americana. She does fail to mention (or perhaps know) that NW had way more points on the board than MH does at the same point in the season so the anticipation that TF will give him the same chance (until Christmas) may be wrong if things really go pear shaped in the next couple of games.
I had faith in NW. He would've done just as good a job had he been given "time." And the players he had planned on bringing in. We had won more and done more with NW than has MH so far. And for MH to not give credit to the players (defenders, especially) who did help us stay up last season and give them the opportunity to carry on this season by getting rid of them in a hurry is completely farcical - and look where we are currently, because of it! And, NW cost a LOT less than MH is costing the club. Of course, for the moment I'll give MH the next couple matches - but how many more? Yes yes, we will have to see, but if the results don't show any of the positive rhetoric being thrown at us by TF and MH, then what are we supposed to think? We can only think that MH has lost the team, has no tactical nous and do not how to change.
[video=youtube_share;Rk9aThIovMA]http://youtu.be/Rk9aThIovMA[/video] Girl get me back to my Hell Hole !
without me looking it up who did we play the first 7 games last season was it easier\harder than this season can we really compare results between nw\mh
