Welcome back to two old boys: the Ginger Iniesta and Mark Hughes. I suspect one of them will get a better reception than the other (although subsequent events have made Hughes' comments on leaving re: ambition seem more reasonable than they did at the time).
Thanks to the Internationals and other stuff that's one heck of a fixture list we now have, scrunched into the back end of September - Sunday 13th Blackburn (H) Wednesday 16th Wolves (H) Saturday 18th Sheffield Wed (A) Tuesday 22nd Stoke (H) - (guess then) Friday 25th QPR (H) 'Fortress Cottage' at the ready.
I've softened towards Hughes since, at the time thought he was a complete twat but, like Captain mentions, he was just calling it as he saw it. The lack of investment, and subsequent loss of our star players, did show a lack of ambition on ALFs part as he eyed up a sale. The Stoke job has been a good one for him, like with us he replaced a defensively minded coach who had laid a good foundation and in both cases he's tried to make the teams more attractive and bring in some young quality. Will be very surprised if we can bag a result - Stoke will be after a trophy this year and Hughes will want to make his point so expect a strong team to play.
I think Silky is right on all counts. I was surprised to see that Hughes picked a rotation-based side for Stoke in the second round - I remember him saying he didn't believe in weakened teams for the cup when he was with us, and he picked a full-strength side for the game where we demolished Micky Adams' Port Vale. Given his personal history with us, I'd be amazed if it wasn't a pretty strong Stoke line up that starts against us.
please log in to view this image The Stoke match is indeed confirmed as Tuesday 22nd September, kick off 7.45.
