"""" Fulham Chronicle/Paul Warburton Exclusive: QPR boss defends under-fire skipper Park Ji-sung QPRâs captain just needs time â despite what fans and former players say, reckons Mark Hughes. The Rs boss is unrepentant at having signed Park Ji-sung from Manchester United in the summer and making him skipper. In fact, the more Park stays on the pitch, the better he will become, says Hughes. The Korean international must feel he has been backed up against a wall by his own fans after a string of lacklustre performances ended in him being substituted twice in the past three games and yellow-carded in the defeat to West Brom the weekend before last. But the most astonishing outburst came from former Rs hero Lee Cook, who says Park is just not pulling his weight. Cook, now at Leyton Orient, is a dyed in the wool Rangers fan and he believes the captain is far from the finished product. "Every time I saw Park at United, he was a workhorse," he said. "For me, he doesnât seem to be working as hard as he did there. "People I know think a few of them are there for a pay day. At halfway through the season, you will be able to tell whether this is true or not." Tweets and web postings have lambasted the Korean for being lightweight and seemingly disinterested. Others say he is being played out of position and is not helped by the instability in the side. But Hughes and chairman Tony Fernandes beg to differ, and the former explained Parkâs appointment as captain was about his impact on the squad â not just about creating interest in the Far East market. "Heâs a good player and his experience will be invaluable," the manager told the Chronicle. "In the last couple of years he hasnât had a run of games and that can get a lot of getting used to. "Heâs a good character around the group and thatâs one of the reasons I gave him the armband. "Heâs just needs to get into the rhythm and continuity of playing that he hasnât had up to now. "Once he has that, it will help his form and his impact on games." Hughes maintains Rangers will be a force to be reckoned with in the second half of the campaign. They sit rock bottom without a win going into Sundayâs home match against Everton, but history is on the coachâs side. In his one season down the road at Fulham, Hughes was also in danger of the sack. After a poor run, the Whites went to Stoke just after Christmas 2010 and went on a run that took them out of the relegation zone to eighth â their second highest finish in the top flight. "My teams have been invariably stronger in the second half of the season and itâs what weâre working towards on a daily basis," he said. Fulham Chronicle """"""" "In fact, the more Park stays on the pitch, the better he will become, says Hughes." Very comforting thanks Mark! Perhaps you can leave him on the pitch between games, that way we may get some end product by Christmas
I suspect as some have said, that he's been well past his best the last couple of years, which is why he didn't get much playing time under Fergeuson, who then did the smart thing in getting shot of him. Hughes has made many big mistakes with Park. 1) Got succored by Sir AF into buying him, 2) Made him Captain, 3) Starts him each and every PL game, 4) If Park does have anything left to offer us which seems extremely doubtful, it is blatantly obvious not at wide left midfield - but Hughes knows best, no doubt he'll be there again Sunday.
From West London Sport """"""" 19/10/2012 by David McIntyre QPR manager Mark Hughes insists he does know what his strongest starting XI is. Rangers, bottom of the table and without a league win, have endured a dismal start to the season. Following an influx of players during the summer, it has been suggested that Hughes is unsure of his best side. But the R’s boss, who blames recent poor results partly on injuries, is adamant that is not the case. “When everyone’s fit and well then I know my first-choice team, absolutely,” he said. “Against different opposition and in different circumstances you do what you think will win, so it might change. “But the fundamentals and the spine of the team would remain the same, and I haven’t been able to have that on a regular basis.” """"""""""""
If Hughes Knew best we wouldn't be bottom of the league..surely ? Interesting that the manager feels the need to defend him.
"In the last couple of years he hasn’t had a run of games and that can get a lot of getting used to." Wake up Mark. He's averaged 15 games a season in 7 years in the EPL. He's NEVER played a full season or been a regular starting member of a side. Throw in his age and the fact that he's well past his best and we have a dud on our hands. The day TF announced him as our marquee signing was the day I started doubting his football knowledge and whether he's even on the same planet as those who watch the game.
Absolutely. I think its pretty obvious he's going to play come what may so Hughes may as well get the best out of him. It's very clear he has not been at all comfortable where he has been starting in recent games.
Hughes says he 'absolutely' knows his first choice team... Well, from all the formation doodling we've done on here, so do we: a midfield comprising a holding player (probably Faurlin with M'bia or Diakite as options), Hoilett, Granero and Taarabt forms the basis to a decent side with enough forward momentum to keep the pressure off our defence. Thereafter, it's either an additional holding mid or striker depending on home, away / level of opposition threat. Park, SWP and Mackie are all okay players to keep in reserve for tactical changes, cover for injuries / suspensions etc.. Anything else either keeps us in our own half and exposes the back four OR denies us adequate firepower up front to capitalise on chances created. If Mark Hughes sees it differently, which he appears to, then he clearly doesn't know our best options. This is the main reason we have failed to score crucial points and why Hughes now stands accused by all and sundry. Mr Hughes needs to wake up and smell the coffee or stay asleep and say goodbye to his current career. The prosecution rests its case.
Mark Hughes defends Park, TF defends Mark Hughes, if only our back four could defend so well we'd all be laughing now...........
If only & solves 2 problems - getting rid of SWP & allowing a creative (Tarbs/Hoilett) left midfielder play.
