I'd give Hughes three more matches and he can really prove his worth, it is a massive opportunity for him in his managerial career so if he has the nounce to make it I'd personally give him a target of 6 points from the next 3 matches. I never wish a manager to be sacked or to leave, I understand fully how it would only add more turmoil to a club that has a history of making rash decisions but after the past four matches he has shown he hasn't got the tactical know-how to succeed. Its the insistence on using players out-of-position, of failing to make bold decisions in terms of substitutions and formations and the lack of knowledge of when to make decisions. Tal Ben Heim hasn't been exactly great but the matches he played in the absence of Zabaleta he was our best defender, yet he is the first to be dropped despite Richards and Dunne having absolute mediocre seasons. Richards, analysing his lacklustre performances so far, will never return to the international setup so long as he continues to play this way and Dunne is starting to look like the fallen hero. A sending off and another shocking performance to add to his collection of season mishaps, again I wouldn't make any aggressive decisions but we just are not capable of doing anything. Dunne's suspension will do us more good than not right now because he is so far off top-form that its difficult to see him get any worse, but he somehow does. Give the captaincy to Ireland or SWP, put Richards and Ben Heim in the middle and see how they perform, we could always shift Kompany back. 2 points from the bottom of the table and while many share the same struggles as us, it is the lack of faith in Hughes decisions and judgements which are the key personally. I haven't seen today's match but I had the pleasure of seeing them at Middlesbrough and against FC Twente and we always struggled to win the midfield battle. Dunne and Fernandes are to blame mainly for the defeat after being sent off but Hughes really does leave a lot to be desired for. After Vassell went off early, I presume because of injury, he decides to bring on Hamann and ignore the services of Elano. Benjani, a typical lone striker who played magnificent in the position in the Twente match, was shoved out on the left and wasted. Jo never came on at all, Elano was again ignored and must be wondering what he has exactly done to be left on the bench and when he does play why is it out of position. Another point, why does Hughes play them out of position? Benjani as a winger? SWP in the middle despite being a renowned right-midfielder? Richards at LB (before today's match)? Elano as a defensive midfielder? When you see the starting lineup you have a completely different formation as to what Hughes has actually picked. I understand life isn't as easy as football manager but we look inept and clueless at the moment, the lack of character about Hughes in regard to changing the formation and such is surprising. 7 defeats from 12 matches, Sven was sacked for a lot less so Hughes has a lot of answering to do, and our next three matches are Hull, Arsenal and Man Utd. None of them are easy but it is time to prove his worth, or I'd give him the boot if he didn't come up with the goods. I'd hate to see another manager go but Hughes reminds me of the Stuart Pearce era of failing to change matches, or at least trying to, and in playing footballers out of position.
Wow...that's all I have to say. Drop Dunne, I don't care if he is our hero and captain...he is playing like absolute shite. Two own goals, a red card (not his first one this season mind you), and several obvious mistakes at defence. I love Dunne, but right now his suspension is doing us more good than bad. Please bring on Ben Haim. I feel bad, it's like we are just wasting Robinho away despite him performing better than he did at Madrid. Hughes doesn't seem to spark his team well enough and almost every second half for us has just turned against us. Last results: Tottenham 2 - 1 (2 red cards, come from behind win) Bolton 2 - 0 (stupid, stupid tactics gave this one away) Middlesbrough 2 - 0 (Penalty decided game) Stoke 3 - 0 (The only positive thing to look at, which isn't much) Newcastle 2 - 2 (Own goal, yeah....) Liverpool 3 - 2 (I don't even have to explain this one) Wigan 2 - 1 (Another penalty)
Time to blow this thing up. I'm not sure getting rid of Hughes is the answer, but having watched this match, it is pretty clear that the players are not well coached. Gelson is an idiot for committing that second foul on a ball he had no chance of getting to, which is his fault but also is coaching. Zab is ALWAYS out of position and the ball is always played in behind him. Didi always takes the wrong angle to his man, who plays a neat one-two - leaving Didi 15 yards behind. As for Hughes himself -- no subs in the second half says it all -- sod the goal difference, bring on Elano or Jo for Ireland and play 4-1-2-2 or 4-2-2-1. As far as the players go - Ireland had a chance once again to score a crucial goal in the first half and failed to do so, just like v. Bolton. Dunne is like a once fine cheese that is now stinking up the fridge. Richards routinely is caught ball watching (see coaching) - remember the goal v. Twente where he thought the ref was going to blow for offside but the player onside kept going for the ball and Micah just stood there? There are only four undroppable players for me at this point: Hart, Kompany, SWP and Robinho. Screw it -- spend 150m on Sergio Ramos, Benzema, Henry etc. We have to at least make the UEFA places for next year, and this current squad, who will I predict take 1 point against Hull and lose v. Arsenal and Sir Red Nose's 11, is not up for a top half finish.
Our defense is not holding up to their end up the bargain really. Our attack is beautiful and is praised as probably the best in the league. There is only one thing to point the finger for being in 13th place and that is the D. I seriously hope Mark Hughes doesn't go after more midfielders and attackers (except maybe one striker and thats it...to add more depth and more confident striking options) in the transfer window.
Amen. Very frustrating. We need a shakeup. who will be the captain during Dunnes 3 match ban? Maybe if he shows leadership AND SOME DEFENSE! Hughes could make a captain switch.
Sadly against Hull I can see Hughes playing: GK: Hart RB: Zabaleta LB: Garrido CB: Richards (c), Ben Haim DM: Hamann CM: Ireland, Wright-Phillips RW: Vassell LW: Robinho ST: Benjani and it'll be more of the same rubbish against Tottenham. Against Hull I'd like to see us go for a solid win, keep a clean sheet and pick up a 2-0 or 3-0 win. I'd pick: GK: Hart RB: Zabaleta CB: Ben Haim, Richards LB: Ball (if he's fit, if not Garrido) RW: Wright-Phillips CM: Ireland CM: Elano LW: Robinho ST: Jo ST: Evans or Sturridge Sure it's an attacking line-up, but we really should be turning Hull over and picking up the three points regardless of our away form
Two reds is absolutely rediculous. Gelson had no business going into that second tackle like he did sitting on a yellow. Dunne had a horrid game, but I for one am not ready to relegate him to the bench just yet. Our defense has looked poor this year, but I don't think that Ben Haim is the answer. Truth is, Zabaleta is no Corluka. Corluka made the rest of our defense better by association. The trend became, as soon as Corluka was to Spurs both of our Center boys fell out of form to some extent. We need class fullbacks, Zabaleta may become one but I would argue to say that he's got some ways to come before he is ready. I'd like to go with an attacking lineup as well against Hull. We need to create more possesion and offense, our defense cannot handle barrages like it faced yesterday. Richards and Dunne are capable CB's but we need some fullbacks pretty badly. This was another disappointing loss, and whats even worse are Spurs are within a point of us after sitting in 20th prior to this game.
I think that saying Corluka is the reason that our defence has fallen apart is drawing a long bow CB, Dunne and Richards did actually play for this club before Mr Charlie came and left and they played pretty damn well .. However, if you had told me that Javi Garrido would be our best defensive player at this stage in the season, and that Dunne and Richards would fall apart defensively and have nighmare season's, i would of laughed at you. Jo has been fined for the club for going out nightclubing whilst on the sick list (apparently, nothing on the OS, but http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...l-striker-Jo-clubbing-sick-list.html?ITO=1490) and there are rumours of Elano almost coming to blows with training ground staff although nothing concrete at all. There are rumours of a fire sale (of sorts) with Elano, Didi Hamaan, Michael Ball, Javi Garrido, Darius Vassel and Nedum Onuoha being on the way out .. but Richards and Dunne are safe for now .. The Owners have come out in support of MH with this article. http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_4480052,00.html Here are a few key quotes People are saying we should be attacking, but the main reason for our poor defensive record this year has been the switch from defensive slow play, to attacking play. We already have a very attacking lineup, Robinho and SWP playing as attacking winger/midfielders, and i thought our defense was pretty decent considering the barrage they were under with only two goals given up with us having next to no possession until near the end. We have the team to be top six in the PL, but they are not defending well enough to do so. It puts pressure on everything we do. The squad overall is very unbalanced, with far more attacking midfielders than two way midfielders. Has anyone else noticed this ? We really need a win at Hull, and to get something out of either Arsenal or Man u
I think you might be on to something -- I have noticed that when we get the ball off the opposition, our front five start racing upfield looking for the quick counter, which leaves a lot of space between Kompany and the rest of the midfield. My main issue though is that Micah is a ball watcher, rather than make sure he is in the right position and adjusting accordingly, he stares at whoever has the ball. This puts Dunne in a bad position, and that combined with his lack of pace and concentration lapses this year have put us in trouble. Compounding this is Zab's complete lack of positional sense on the right -- he pinches in towards the middle and comes up too quickly on the man on the ball which allows people in behind him. As far as signings go, I think the first issue is Jo. To me, R Santa-Cruz does not make sense unless you want to get rid of Jo because we don't need three back to goal forwards, Benjani being the other one. This sounds bizarre, but you could make the case that Peter Crouch would fit in well if Jo were to go. Ditto for Heskey. What we, in my opinion, do not need is another small skinny forward. As for the rest of the squad, we need a couple burly midfielders, a quick CB and anothe RB.
I wouldn't say he is the sole reason, but we were definitely more solid with him in the backline. I know there are a number of contributing factors, Corluka is just one of them. I have definitely noticed that we lack in the two way midfielders department. I think the defense will perk up a bit when Kompany comes back on the pitch. We are now top heavy with attacking players, and not so much on the defensive end. Anyways, do we go more defensive? Clearly, we need to do something to counter our opponents offense, especially with Arsenal, Schalke, and Man U coming up. A change of tactics is definitely due. If we went with two Defensive Mid Fielders who would we go with? Obviously Kompany, then we have Hamann who is too slow to be effective against quality opponents, Fernandes who is inconsistent but probably a better option than Hamann. It is a very tricky situation.
Look at it this way, if we don't pick up 3 points from Hull, then the odds of Hughes lasting much longer are going to be slashed once more. I'm not saying he's a bad manager, I just don't think he's suited for the style of attacking football he's trying to play with his tactics at the moment. Just look back at his Blackburn days. His team had the worst disciplinary record in the league for seasons on the bounce, he played gritty defensive football in the center of the park with almost no technical ability, just tireless effort. You might argue that's what City need currently, but he doesnt have the players available. He snubs Elano and favors Vassell to play wide right and SWP in the center? That's a joke decision, Sparky, sort it out. Although with Kompany available on Sunday he's probably going to leave Elano and Jo on the bench again and stick with Vassell and Benjani once more. Since Dunne will be banned he'll just drop the woeful Ben Haim into the center of defence, stick Kompany infront of the back four and then play Ireland, Robinho, Benjani, Vassell and SWP. With that lineup I can see it being more of the same against Hull. I can't understand why he doesn't shake it up with the recent results we've been having. It's obvious a change of personnel is needed and Elano can be fantastic when he has his good days so I'd like to see him start in the center and SWP out on the right. Kompany has played at CB for most of his career, so I don't see why he can't slot in for Dunne then tell Elano/Ireland to work their socks off in the center of midfield and Elano has something to prove so if Hughes gives him that chance we can judge whether Hughes' decision to sit him on the bench for almost every game is warranted. Hull is a critical game for Hughes if he wants to get the season back on track. Even if the owners have come out and backed Hughes I can't see them being so public about it if we lose to Hull.
I remember Hughes trying two defensive midfielders this season against Portsmouth when we won 6-0. We had the usual back 4 of Richards Dunne Zabaleta Garrido, Kompany and Elano sat infront of the back 4, Ireland was in the more advanced role and Robinho and SWP out on the left and right with Jo up front. 6-0 was a freak result, but we did play well and I think Hughes should try it again, because when he did we beat Stoke 3-0 too.
That's what I've been putting in my recent posts. Something about this format worked, why change it! The time for messing the line-up about is over - the players need confidence and at the moment it's a consistent side, leading to consistent wins. We need Johnson badly, I hope he'll return very soon.
He also used two Dm's against Chelsea, Newcastle and someone else .. It's not that he's not trying things and being one dimensional. I for one liked Elano as a "Pirlo" DM, but the fact is he get's brushed off the ball, and is not a strong tackle and doesn't work as hard as a DM. These are why he is not getting playing time, i do hope he gets some gametime in that position though. Too good not to.
Fair point about Elano in the DM role, but now http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2008/nov/11/manchestercity he's gone public about being unhappy at sitting on the bench if Hughes give him a start then surely Elano has to think to himself I've got to work my socks off here against Hull to prove that I merit a place in the team. If he does have an anonymous game against Hull (like he does at times) then Hughes will just think he was right and sit him on the bench more.
Elano has just signed his release slip IMHO. Does he really think that MH will get bossed around by the players ? Reading the article, it's just saying "I want to play" which is fair enough, but i cannot see Hughes as being the kind of manager who would take lightly to that.