Hughes rages at ref with Redknapp and Benitez in frame to take over

Mark Hughes confronted *ref Anthony Taylor to demand an explanation for the controversial winner which left the QPR boss on the brink of the sack, writes The People.

Read Sunday Mirror match report: Arteta strikes late on as Wilshere makes long-awaited return

Sparky’s expensively-assembled side are rock bottom of the Premier League with just three points from nine games – with Rafa Benitez and Harry Redknapp talked up as potential *replacements for Hughes.

Hughes knows he must win at least one of his next two matches against fellow strugglers Reading and Southampton if he is to avoid the axe.

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But Rangers were *unlucky not to earn a point at the Emirates after Mikel Arteta appeared to be in an offside position before he netted the only goal six minutes from time, soon after Stephane Mbia’s sending-off had reduced the visitors to 10 men.

Fuming Hughes demanded answers from ref Taylor after the match – and was left dissatisfied with the official’s answers.

Hughes said: “Arteta is offside twice, on his initial header which Julio Cesar saved, and then in the melee it comes back to him and he comes from an offside position and scores.

“How the referee hasn’t *given the decision to us I have no idea. I went in and asked for an explanation and he’s come up with some story about Nelsen leaving the field of play so that played everybody onside.

“I have no idea what he’s going on about, so that is what you’re up against.

“We played really well against a good Arsenal side and we certainly matched what they produced. Prior to the sending-off, I was making positive substitutions because we looked the more likely side to score.”

Asked if he felt under immediate pressure to get a victory or face the sack, Hughes said: “No, not the way we are playing.

“We’ve played nine games, the vast majority against teams in the top 10. Now we’re hopefully having a run of games which will enable us to get maximum points.

What's next? Redknapp is waiting for the right Premier League job
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“We were expected to be beaten quite comfortably by Arsenal and we weren’t. We have given a good account of ourselves and we’ll gain great *belief from that.”

But Mbia’s dismissal for *recklessly kicking out at Thomas Vermaelen was Rangers’ EIGHTH red card since Hughes took over in January.

And yet the Welshman insisted his side do not have a discipline problem.

He said: “The sending-off is a disappointment because we were given the initial free-kick. Stephane was unaware of that and he swung his leg out.

“I think there was very minimal contact but obviously Vermaelen is going to make the most of it.

“If there was contact, it’s a red card and we have to accept that.

“We’ve had two red cards this season – and it was different personnel last season.

“We haven’t got a disciplinary problem in my view. We are not an aggressive team, in fact at times we need to be more aggressive

“Those are the details which are going against us. We talk about these things every day and we have to make the right decisions at key moments in the games.

“We have done things that have hurt us and haven’t been able to recover. We have to take those things out of our game

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/mark-hughes-rages-at-ref-with-herry-1404231

 

pressure has got to him.

 

Benitez would get our midfield playing imo.

 

It has to at some point. He said last season we wouldn't be in this situation again and right now, we are smack bang in the thick of it. I don't know how many expected us to be in this position, I certainly didn't.

 

I agree, If MH does go .............. Rafa would certainly be my first choice ..................again, ONLY if MH was to go.

 

I wouldn't mind. but we shouldn't really give him free hands on transfers. Likes to pull Wenger once in a while, but doesn't have the nose for it

 

He needs to feel it. We all need to pile more pressure on him and see what he has.