People need to remember that this is the strongest that the prem has been in its history, there isnt one bad team in it
Palace? I wouldn't say you are going down for sure as the OP suggests but if you stay up it will be in spite of Hughes. I think his record over this season and last is 12 points from 21 games. His main flaw for us, of which there were countless, was his inability to spend wisely with a near bottomless pit or, more likely, he saw us as a stepping stone and wanted a team that could deliver success short-term and **** the consequences. At least he's either learned or had more restriction put on him in terms of what type of player he can get.
Watford R Thanks for the input regarding both QPR and of course Hughes There is no way on this planet that, MH will get the kind of cash he had a Rangers I'm sure of it! We are playing some really good football now. We've stated to score but as said above. Our defence is one of the worst in the Prem so far. Pulis was a coward IMHO. I would rather we SCORE and almost win a game. e.g. last weekend at OT. Than do as we always did under Pulis, GO OUT NOT TO LOSE! Whatever happens, so be it. I've seen all but 2 of our games so far live and there is a hell of a difference in our approach, attitude and aptitude towards games now, both home and away. A Leopard they say will never change it's spots but I'll take my chances with MH over the other ex Manager every time. Hope to see you back up here next season, I may be wrong but surly it wasn't all the fault of Mark Hughes or was it? ALL the BEST Watford.
Just to answer that..YES it was all Hughes fault I dont know where to begin so I wont. What I will say to you is this. Do not pin your hopes on MH getting your defending right. There is nothing wrong with Huth/Shawcross partnership & a lot of other Prem teams would bite your arm off for them. remember MH was a striker. Traditionally they see the game a diffrent way to other players. Everything is behind them where as your CB etc can seee the whole game played out in front of them and learn to read the game a lot better...potentially making better managers. Its no suprise the most succesfull captains are in the back 4/5 or midfield. These are the players that can read the games. I think MH tries hard but the facts at all his previous clubs show that he's just not very good & will desert when he's really got to earn his money. Like I said beofre, i wish you all the best but you need to hope there are 3 worse teams in the league than you this season. You may be enjoying the style now, but let me make this completely clear. The football in the NPC is DIRE. Do what ever you can to avoid it and if that means getting rid of MH then get it done. Good luck guys, hope to see you next season
I'd say it was all the fault of his staff, of which he was of course the main part. Mike Rigg, who now has a job at the FA as some sort of scouting boss, was the mastermind behind our glorious big name signings and you aren't lumbered with him nor Kia Joorabchian who I believe Peter Coates won't allow within 100 miles of Stoke-on-Trent. The tactics were atrocious at times (a flat midfield four of lightweights versus West Ham, for example) which was his fault without doubt and he also did his best to ostracise the members of the squad he didn't rate, which was both unhelpful and just odd. I believe he saw us as an avenue to a bigger club. The plan, purely IMO, was to get in these names who had been there and done it and we'd coast to a top half finish and he'd go sailing into the sunset with Everton or a club of that ilk. Obviously his stock is very low now and I'm sure he counts himself lucky an established Prem team would still have him (actually he probably the doesn't, the arrogant ****). Most importantly, Coates has enforced some sort of transfer policy with an emphasis on youth, so worst way he'll leave you considerably less ****ed than he left us though in reality I expect him to finish 15th or thereabouts as you have the players to finish above just about enough clubs. If Begovic goes in January I might not be as optimistic for you.
