Reluctantly, I have Col. TF had to let Hughes have a chance, and he's more than done that. Properly managed, this team has great potential. But right now, it has failure running through it like a stick of rock and player to player relationships are heading south. If TF doesn't do something now, or after the Southampton game (on the assumption we don't win it), then fans will start to turn their anger on him and I don't want to see that.
Whether its the players or him - or a bit of both, the reality is that 4 points from 11 games is ridiculous and clearly not good enough, even with all the excuses in the world. So something has to give, And in football that means the manager.
We were on top in the 1st half and then it all fell apart. Its the negativity that kills us, it seems like the players never want to overcommit over even get inside the box so we never create quality chances. It doesnt matter how we line up if thats drummed into the players.
As above......its not just picking the team.....its about the morale......the training.....the system.....the system if things arent going right......correct substitutions.......buying the right players in the window......making sure that every player plays for the cause and wants to win. Huges cant do any of the above right (except maybe pick the correct team after 11 games)
Seriously wondering is it almost too late already. We are now cut adrift. Just can't see these players suddenly turning it on. Really worried.
I don't want to see the fans turn on TF either mate. Trouble is, if we go and beat Southampton, the cracks will be papered over and Hughes will get longer.
Quite true. A win against Southampton could well be damaging long term by keeping Hughes in. I don't see TF making a decision before then. Nothing to be done but support the team and see how it plays out. As I write this, Aston Villa, one of our competitors for relegation, has just put a second goal past ManU... Football's a cruel game sometimes!
We havent won since May! thats 6 months without a win of any kind in the league! And over a year for away games.
I'm not sure about this one. All our best attacking options were already on the pitch. Only Mackie could potentially have made a difference, but as a defender i'd prefer to face him than Hoillet/Taraabt (who he'd likely have replaced).
More problems. Yeah. One win in the next 10 isn't going to change anything, so I hope we lose against Southampton so TF has no choice. Amazed TF still talks up about MH
Yup. It almost looked 4-3-3 with Hoilett on the left, Adel in the middle and Cissé on the right. Behind that was Ale, Diakite and Granero. Then it was Traore, Nelsen, Ferdinand and Bosingwa.
Holiett, Taarabt and Granero were swapping about a bit but Id say it was Granero centre, Hoilett right and Taarabt left. At least thats how they started.
For me that hits the nail on the head. The first half encapsulated perfectly the flaw in our game plan. No pace. No plan other than to go in at half time having acquitted ourselves reasonably. Adel missed a sitter. After they scored - suddenly we looked as though we remembered what we had come to do. They played well and could have scored several times. It is that spark of urgency and purpose that is missibg from Hughes' ultimate tactic. In case he needs telling, teams we play won't simply get bored and tee the ball up for us to score, they will be happy to bide their time, close down speace and wait for an opportunity to split us apart in a swift counterattack. Cisse was frankly awful from start to finish. He should not have started the second half. However Hughes waited till Stoke had used up their quota of substitutions before finally bringing on Zamora. What was he waiting for? Zamora played about 15 minutes with Cisse and we lost our creative spark entirely. We reverted back to route one - lumping it to Zamora who failed conspicuously to win anything at all or play a good pass to any of his colleagues. Before Zamora came on, we were still creating chances. Afterwards, we completely fizzled out. It was like the bad old days last season when we were reduced to playing without any strikers. They were that ineffectual. Faurlin should not have been taken off. He provided the backbone to our midfield which has sadly been lacking and enabled Diakite, Granero and Taarabt in particular to get forward into good positions safe in the knowledge that if it broke down there was cover behind them. Mackie was clearly the man who should have been brought on and early in the second half. Once again the opposition were there for the taking if Hughes had had the courage to go for it.
the only thing cisse seems to be good at at the moment is moaning mackie should have been brought on have the players been told not to enter the box very disapointing now i have to give my stoke supporting neighbour a box of beer
