I wasn't happy when Hughes was appointed, and I agree with Waddo on Hughes' touchline enthusiasm, or lack of.
But so far, I'm pretty pleased with what he's done.
As has been mentioned, most of the squad are the same as we had under Pulis, and Hughes has spent virtually nothing on the players he's brought in.
Our finishing is poor, but we are creating far more chances than before, and I don't think either Crouch or Jones are suited to the setup were playing now, in the next few weeks I'll be looking forward to seeing Guidetti play and see how he fares.
The defence is obviously a concern, but when we have Bego and Huth back, we should be far more solid at the back, but we do need CB cover, as Wilson doesn't look up to it.
My other concerns are the other 2 W's, but I think dealing with them is a difficult situation. Both Whelan and Walters play an important role for us, which I don't see anyone else in the squad being able to do, I'd hoped to see Palacios in for Whelan more often, but Hughes doesn't seem to fancy him (maybe TP had a point after all?) and someone else (Arnie or Pennant?) on the right instead of Walters, but just look at what happened vs Liverpool and Everton, first half against L'Pool we were getting hammered down the left, because Arnie wasn't offering any support to Pieters when Sterling overlapped, and at Everton, as soon as Walters came off for Pennant, we got torn apart down that flank too, and the first time Pennant does any tracking back, he loses his head and gives away a penalty.
I'm not going to be too harsh on him for the penalty, he shouldn't have jumped in Like that, but it was a moment of stupidity, it's frustrating but it happens, I was more annoyed at him not helping Cameron out. Yeah I get he's a winger not a defender, but when the opposition fullback overlaps, you've got to help your own fullback out.
So, I went on a bit of a ramble there, but my point is, we can't just get rid of Whelan and Walters, we need improved versions of them first.
All in all, I'm pretty happy with Hughes. Is he the right man for us? I'm still not certain, but thus far he's doing a good job of transitioning us from "the old ways". I just hope Coates has learnt his lesson, and will give Hughes a decent amount of time, without dragging it out year after year like with Pulis
But so far, I'm pretty pleased with what he's done.
As has been mentioned, most of the squad are the same as we had under Pulis, and Hughes has spent virtually nothing on the players he's brought in.
Our finishing is poor, but we are creating far more chances than before, and I don't think either Crouch or Jones are suited to the setup were playing now, in the next few weeks I'll be looking forward to seeing Guidetti play and see how he fares.
The defence is obviously a concern, but when we have Bego and Huth back, we should be far more solid at the back, but we do need CB cover, as Wilson doesn't look up to it.
My other concerns are the other 2 W's, but I think dealing with them is a difficult situation. Both Whelan and Walters play an important role for us, which I don't see anyone else in the squad being able to do, I'd hoped to see Palacios in for Whelan more often, but Hughes doesn't seem to fancy him (maybe TP had a point after all?) and someone else (Arnie or Pennant?) on the right instead of Walters, but just look at what happened vs Liverpool and Everton, first half against L'Pool we were getting hammered down the left, because Arnie wasn't offering any support to Pieters when Sterling overlapped, and at Everton, as soon as Walters came off for Pennant, we got torn apart down that flank too, and the first time Pennant does any tracking back, he loses his head and gives away a penalty.
I'm not going to be too harsh on him for the penalty, he shouldn't have jumped in Like that, but it was a moment of stupidity, it's frustrating but it happens, I was more annoyed at him not helping Cameron out. Yeah I get he's a winger not a defender, but when the opposition fullback overlaps, you've got to help your own fullback out.
So, I went on a bit of a ramble there, but my point is, we can't just get rid of Whelan and Walters, we need improved versions of them first.
All in all, I'm pretty happy with Hughes. Is he the right man for us? I'm still not certain, but thus far he's doing a good job of transitioning us from "the old ways". I just hope Coates has learnt his lesson, and will give Hughes a decent amount of time, without dragging it out year after year like with Pulis
