The trouble is, they are 2 winable games and that will be 2 more games down the pan if we stick with him. Mackie did more in 10-15 mins than SWP did in the whole game.
Performance counts for nothing when there's no cutting edge up front and week after week still no points on the board. Not working is it? Whatever the reasons, Hughes losing a lot of cred.
I understand why anyone wouldnt want a change of manager, who would ? We are being left with no realistic option. To say anyone is calling for Hughes' sacking due to Mbia is ridiculous. That sending off was petulant, but also indicative of a lack of discipline. The tactics were wrong also. It's depressing.
Fining is usually announced, the fact that its not announced and it keeps on happening leads to the only logical conclusion that they were not fined.
Well according to his twit last week, TF should have been there today. But you can imagine his response....'Great performance. Unlucky not to win. Dominated a great side. Red card not Hughes fault. Patience. Win will come. It's a long term project. Marathon not a sprint.'
I'm even starting to doubt Hughes now. although you could say that his tactics today (negative though they were) were only 5 mins (and some petulance) away from getting us a much needed point. Would like to see us playing some attacking football though and Jamie Mackie should be given more opportunity.
There were good moments. Adel was excellent considering where he was forced to play, Diakite was immense and until Traore got hurt I thought our defence was the best I've seen so far this season. Nothing up front, Zamora has no bite and Hoillet was selfish and poor. Granero wasn't at his best either, as for SWP he did make one superb pass...to the opposition. Edit: However Arsenal were very poor.
Dont forget the offside goal. I really hope the rumour is true about him getting sacked because I dont enjoy his football at all. The thing is, we could have got 3 points if we had a go, you could see how fragile they were in the last few mins. If its a marathon, Hughes is an asthmatic 20 stone, 40 a day smoker who will never get over the line.
We were defensive, but I thought we were doing a pretty good job defensively until Mbia threw it away. Still not happy with Zamora's play. Would be nice to try a change up front. Once again liked Mackie's impact from the bench. Would have liked to see him earlier though. Close to getting a point today, which I wouldn't have expected. Shame, will have the MH haters making hay for another week I guess.
Actually partially agree wit you. I do try and look at things positively and we have played some good football at time under Hughes but have to admit that games like today (and we've seen a few) where the 'play for the draw' tactics come out do leave me a bit dpressed. Bring back Olly! anyone?
On analysis I'd say a point is the least we should have got from this game, with the quality of the players we have. Arsenal were toothless in attack, not confident on the ball yet we walked away with nothing yet again. Why? Because Hughes' tactics away from home are completely and utterly useless. And his return is evidence of that.
There's only one Jamie Mackie! SWP added absolutely nothing to the team, after a shaky start Cesar was immense today. We should have snapped up Jordan Rhodes who continues to put them away for Blackburn. Our Palace alumni bagged a pair today in a winning cause, and even Hulse got an assist!
We had 30% possession, 4 shots (against 21) against a poor team. Another six weeks of this and we are down. Forget the sending off, we still had 80% of the game with 11 men.
Yes, indeed, I noted those shots of him, apparently alone, obviously deep in thought. Now is the winter of our discontent?
Not sure there are many decent candidates out there at the moment thoguh which may be a problem. I hear Steve Kean is looking for a job.
He should be. When teams get relegated, it's because they can't score, can't win away from home, can't beat poor sides etc. 6 defeats in 9 will sap confidence, I don't care how good the players are. It gets more and more difficult to win with each loss. I'm on the pessimistic side and even I predicted a draw today! Very very p***ed off.
