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Post by luke45 on Mar 18, 2014 17:00:47 GMT
Hughes has done a good job so far and I must admit, he's managed to evolve our style of play a lot quicker than I was expecting. To say we were boring, no hopers under Pulis is a bit harsh though, and at our best under TP we were the most passionate and committed team in the country. Hughes has definitely made us more effective from open play, but equally we've been no where near as effective from set pieces, and 27 goals from 30 games last season compared to 32 goals from 30 games this season isn't exactly a tremendous difference. At this stage last season we had shipped 35 goals from 30 games, after 30 games this season we've shipped 44 goals, so it's fair to say with Hughes more expansive style our defensive shape has looked more vulnerable as well. It's a work in progress and we've made some important strides since the turn of year but let's not get too carried away yet. Away form especially remains a major problem that we have yet to improve on so far despite some decent performances, that's something that we desperately need to try and improve because it continues to put a lot of pressure on our home matches. We've got every reason to be optimistic at the moment but it is important to keep things in perspective.
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Post by Stafford-Stokie on Mar 18, 2014 17:01:04 GMT
Yes. so, let's get this straight once and for all..... you'd be happier with a manager of less quality that you liked as a person and Stoke being less successful as a consequence of that? Oh I see. hughes is the best manager we can get now. Yes he has had some great games of late but lets not forget the shit games as well. How many have we won away again? His record is much the same as the last bloke and the style is edging closer to that as well. hughes will be constantly judged on his last game in charge as is any manager. It's all rosey at the mo but lets not forget even some of his champions were doubting him just a few weeks ago. Things change very quickly in football. I will tolerate him but won't lose any sleep once he is gone.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 18, 2014 17:03:34 GMT
so, let's get this straight once and for all..... you'd be happier with a manager of less quality that you liked as a person and Stoke being less successful as a consequence of that? Oh I see. hughes is the best manager we can get now. Yes he has had some great games of late but lets not forget the shit games as well. How many have we won away again? His record is much the same as the last bloke and the style is edging closer to that as well. hughes will be constantly judged on his last game in charge as is any manager. It's all rosey at the mo but lets not forget even some of his champions were doubting him just a few weeks ago. Things change very quickly in football. I will tolerate him but won't lose any sleep once he is gone. Judged on his last game in charge? Are you taking the piss? That's what you did last season was it? When the bad performances were either a figment of people's imagination or entirely the players' fault?
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Post by Deleted on Mar 18, 2014 17:06:03 GMT
so, let's get this straight once and for all..... you'd be happier with a manager of less quality that you liked as a person and Stoke being less successful as a consequence of that? Oh I see. hughes is the best manager we can get now. Yes he has had some great games of late but lets not forget the shit games as well. How many have we won away again? His record is much the same as the last bloke and the style is edging closer to that as well. hughes will be constantly judged on his last game in charge as is any manager. It's all rosey at the mo but lets not forget even some of his champions were doubting him just a few weeks ago. Things change very quickly in football. I will tolerate him but won't lose any sleep once he is gone. i never said he was the best we could get did i? i said would you be happier with a manager that turned out to be less successful as long as he was a person you liked? i said it was hypothetical when i first asked it it's a perfectly valid question given that it's you that's said on this thread that he's doing well but the sooner he leaves the better. those 2 things seem to completely contradict each other given that there is no way of anyone knowing whether an incoming manager will be a success or not FYI cheeesfreeex.... THIS is why people (not just me, plenty of others do and have on this thread and to be fair Stafford never seems arsed, so why single me out fuck knows!) constantly question him...because he contradicts his own stance constantly. is that ok?
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Post by cheeesfreeex on Mar 18, 2014 17:07:23 GMT
Funnily enough I was commenting on your efforts at trying to reach YOUR consensus. I'm consistent in enjoying the fuckwittery on here. Well done for missing my point, and extra points for calling me both a druggie and a muppet in quick succession. I wasn't asking you to stop interrogating SS. I find it intriguing that people aren't happy with stating their own opinions, but also have a desire for everyone else to tuck in behind. I was questioning your methods, that's all. Closed questioning rarely gets the desired response if you want an honest answer. No?
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Post by Deleted on Mar 18, 2014 17:15:20 GMT
Funnily enough I was commenting on your efforts at trying to reach YOUR consensus. I'm consistent in enjoying the fuckwittery on here. Well done for missing my point, and extra points for calling me both a druggie and a muppet in quick succession. I wasn't asking you to stop interrogating SS. I find it intriguing that people aren't happy with stating their own opinions, but also have a desire for everyone else to tuck in behind. I was questioning your methods, that's all. Closed questioning rarely gets the desired response if you want an honest answer. No? i completely agree with that mate...the problem is (and why so many people question stafford on it) is because you never get any kind of proper answer from him. even the one worder i asked for and originally got, he's now changed, backtracked on and quantified with some vague bullshit that deviates from the actual question. people have been asking for ages and got no answers (as i'm sure you know full well). i think it's perfectly justified to ask a man with a large picture of the ex-manager and slogan "Time to go Hughes" on his sig what his stance is on a thread that is entitled "Plaudits to Hughes". he says things are going well but can't wait to see the back of him..it's perfectly logical to question how he reconciles those 2 statements isn't it as that implies they would be happier with uncertainty instead of things going well as long as "The face fits". i would love to get an answer from an open question to stafford....there are literally dozens of people on here who have tried and failed so therefore, on this particular thread and taking into account his honest and public stance on the man this thread is about i have tried to nail down an actual answer.i thought i'd succeeded so asked for clarification, he then changed his answer.....
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Post by Stafford-Stokie on Mar 18, 2014 17:19:31 GMT
Funnily enough I was commenting on your efforts at trying to reach YOUR consensus. I'm consistent in enjoying the fuckwittery on here. Well done for missing my point, and extra points for calling me both a druggie and a muppet in quick succession. I wasn't asking you to stop interrogating SS. I find it intriguing that people aren't happy with stating their own opinions, but also have a desire for everyone else to tuck in behind. I was questioning your methods, that's all. Closed questioning rarely gets the desired response if you want an honest answer. No? i completely agree with that mate...the problem is (and why so many people question stafford on it) is because you never get any kind of proper answer from him. even the one worder i asked for and originally got, he's now changed, backtracked on and quantified with some vague bullshit that deviates from the actual question. people have been asking for ages and got no answers (as i'm sure you know full well). i think it's perfectly justified to ask a man with a large picture of the ex-manager and slogan "Time to go Hughes" on his sig what his stance is on a thread that is entitled "Plaudits to Hughes". he says things are going well but can't wait to see the back of him..it's perfectly logical to question how he reconciles those 2 statements isn't it as that implies they would be happier with uncertainty instead of things going well as long as "The face fits". i would love to get an answer from an open question to stafford....there are literally dozens of people on here who have tried and failed so therefore, on this particular thread and taking into account his honest and public stance on the man this thread is about i have tried to nail down an actual answer.i thought i'd succeeded so asked for clarification, he then changed his answer..... Where have I changed my answer? He is doing a good job but I don't like him and won't be sorry to see him go. I don't get why you can't understand that?
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Post by Deleted on Mar 18, 2014 18:07:08 GMT
i completely agree with that mate...the problem is (and why so many people question stafford on it) is because you never get any kind of proper answer from him. even the one worder i asked for and originally got, he's now changed, backtracked on and quantified with some vague bullshit that deviates from the actual question. people have been asking for ages and got no answers (as i'm sure you know full well). i think it's perfectly justified to ask a man with a large picture of the ex-manager and slogan "Time to go Hughes" on his sig what his stance is on a thread that is entitled "Plaudits to Hughes". he says things are going well but can't wait to see the back of him..it's perfectly logical to question how he reconciles those 2 statements isn't it as that implies they would be happier with uncertainty instead of things going well as long as "The face fits". i would love to get an answer from an open question to stafford....there are literally dozens of people on here who have tried and failed so therefore, on this particular thread and taking into account his honest and public stance on the man this thread is about i have tried to nail down an actual answer.i thought i'd succeeded so asked for clarification, he then changed his answer..... Where have I changed my answer? He is doing a good job but I don't like him and won't be sorry to see him go. I don't get why you can't understand that? Because it's not clear why you have such incredibly strong views on a bloke you don't know.
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Post by lordb on Mar 18, 2014 18:09:20 GMT
before xmas I posted that Hughes reminded me of Jordan
he bloody well doesn't now.
carry on
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Post by cheeesfreeex on Mar 18, 2014 18:10:21 GMT
i completely agree with that mate...the problem is (and why so many people question stafford on it) is because you never get any kind of proper answer from him. even the one worder i asked for and originally got, he's now changed, backtracked on and quantified with some vague bullshit that deviates from the actual question. people have been asking for ages and got no answers (as i'm sure you know full well). i think it's perfectly justified to ask a man with a large picture of the ex-manager and slogan "Time to go Hughes" on his sig what his stance is on a thread that is entitled "Plaudits to Hughes". he says things are going well but can't wait to see the back of him..it's perfectly logical to question how he reconciles those 2 statements isn't it as that implies they would be happier with uncertainty instead of things going well as long as "The face fits". i would love to get an answer from an open question to stafford....there are literally dozens of people on here who have tried and failed so therefore, on this particular thread and taking into account his honest and public stance on the man this thread is about i have tried to nail down an actual answer.i thought i'd succeeded so asked for clarification, he then changed his answer..... Where have I changed my answer? He is doing a good job but I don't like him and won't be sorry to see him go. I don't get why you can't understand that? I'd love to meet you SS, to see what you've got, there are 'literally dozens' on here who want to change you. Want you to be their wife.
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Post by Stafford-Stokie on Mar 18, 2014 18:30:15 GMT
Where have I changed my answer? He is doing a good job but I don't like him and won't be sorry to see him go. I don't get why you can't understand that? I'd love to meet you SS, to see what you've got, there are 'literally dozens' on here who want to change you. Want you to be their wife. I am normally in Greenhoffs before and after matches. Not sure about the Hull game yet though.
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Post by mrcoke on Mar 18, 2014 21:15:38 GMT
Considering MH hasn't had the full support of the rest of the Stoke management in getting the players he wanted, the change in playing style (whether you like it or not), the injuries, the suspensions, some crap refereeing decisions, his personal disciplinary action, and some lack of support/loyalty in some quarters (e.g KJ) I think MH has done an excellent job under very difficult circumstances that some other managers might have wilted under (e.g.Holloway).
More power to his elbow.
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Post by blackpoolred on Mar 18, 2014 22:11:46 GMT
Hughes has done a good job so far and I must admit, he's managed to evolve our style of play a lot quicker than I was expecting. To say we were boring, no hopers under Pulis is a bit harsh though, and at our best under TP we were the most passionate and committed team in the country. Hughes has definitely made us more effective from open play, but equally we've been no where near as effective from set pieces, and 27 goals from 30 games last season compared to 32 goals from 30 games this season isn't exactly a tremendous difference. At this stage last season we had shipped 35 goals from 30 games, after 30 games this season we've shipped 44 goals, so it's fair to say with Hughes more expansive style our defensive shape has looked more vulnerable as well. It's a work in progress and we've made some important strides since the turn of year but let's not get too carried away yet. Away form especially remains a major problem that we have yet to improve on so far despite some decent performances, that's something that we desperately need to try and improve because it continues to put a lot of pressure on our home matches. We've got every reason to be optimistic at the moment but it is important to keep things in perspective. +1 Those facts are very interesting I can understand the OP excitement after the game on Sat though, but just a little over the top. We have been pretty awesome in the last month and played with a lot of swagger, something we have not seen for a while. That said some of the games we have seen this season have been as bad as anything we have seen in recent years: 0 goal attempts and 1 corner against Spurs springs to mind. I for one thought Hughes was a disaster appointment, but so far he is proving me wrong - long may it continue
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Post by estrangedsonoffaye on Mar 18, 2014 22:22:05 GMT
One good game means as little as one bad game, the proof in the pudding is where we finish.
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Post by johnsmithsupper on Mar 18, 2014 22:44:19 GMT
I have no idea why anyone can argue I have already seen more quality and entertainment in 3/4's of a season than in the last 2 seasons of tony and I love it. I have seen goals this season that were world class, unbelievable victories and I'm enthusiastic to watch my club again.
Whatever we say about tony, to whom I am forever grateful but wanted him out in the end, his football style however successful was an horrendous reflection on the club for which we are still paying.
Hughes has done remarkable job so far and I'm worried a bigger club will come calling in the summer tbh.
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Post by johnsmithsupper on Mar 18, 2014 22:45:31 GMT
One good game means as little as one bad game, the proof in the pudding is where we finish. Pardon my French but one good game my arse. I have watched us play poorly 3 times at home all season the rest have been tremendous games to watch
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Post by estrangedsonoffaye on Mar 19, 2014 1:04:25 GMT
One good game means as little as one bad game, the proof in the pudding is where we finish. Pardon my French but one good game my arse. I have watched us play poorly 3 times at home all season the rest have been tremendous games to watch And away? I'm not trying to belittle what Hughes has done, at home we've been superb and in my opinion better than we ever were under Tony, but it's only half of the job we've got to pick up more away from Home. It looked like this would be the season we'd do it given our win at West Ham, but since then we haven't kicked on at all, and other than Man United and Swansea we've been crap on the road.
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Post by Trouserdog on Mar 19, 2014 7:04:00 GMT
It wouldn't matter if Hughes led us to Champions League glory by thumping Barcelona 12-0 in the final- Stafford would still hate Hughes because a) he's not Tony Pulis, and b) he's argued himself into a corner and will say that black is white rather than admit that he was wrong. You can save yourself hours of frustration on here by remembering the old adage that you can't reason with an idiot. Stafford will happily keep up this ridiculous stance because he can't even comprehend the contradiction in his own views. It's pointless discussing anything with him- much better to just let him just spout drivel on his own without even acknowledging his presence. "Hughes is a wanker! I want him out! Taxi for Hughes! blah blah blah!""What's that noise?""Dunno, ignore it.""Pulis is ace, Hughes wouldn't shake his hand! He's a wanker I don't like him, blah blah blah shit shit shit bollocks bollocks""It's like a faint sound of someone doing a shit- hear it?" "Nah""Hughes is a dick...oh, and racism is ace. Look, I can use lots of these! "There we go. 12,000-odd posts condensed into three lines. No need to bother reading any of them any more.
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Post by mcf on Mar 19, 2014 7:40:38 GMT
Let's not make out as though Stafford is on his own with regard to this. I could name a few that would have let Pulis walk out the door at any point of his 10 years here...and yes, even immediately after getting promotion. I personally couldn't abide having Cotterill here and found it extremely tough to take (and yes, partly because I was upset that I wanted Gudjon to stay) Stafford is no different from a plethora of high ranking wankstains - I can promise you that. Millsey - It's not a case of 'sod what I think' that I've started to warm to Hughes. It's precisely because of what I think. IMHO, he changed course before it was too late, or at least before it started to get really serious for us in terms of threatening relegation, and therefore I think he got it right tactically in the end. Now that his new players have started to bed in we got to see how we can play passing football with an end product as well - yep, early days in that it was just West Ham but we now have enough points overall where we as fans are not looking over our shoulder. I always thought that playing more direct would get us clear of trouble and we have played some really good football too. We are in a pretty good place. The least I can do is put a bit of faith in him
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Post by jeycov on Mar 19, 2014 7:58:27 GMT
Excellent job so far Hughesy. I've seen the majority of the players individually improving. Shawcross, Cameron, Adam, Whelan, N'Zonzi and Crouch. I think Pieters, Arnie, Muniesa, and Odemwingie look great, have been warming to Assaidi {pre-injury} and Ireland. There have been times when they just havn't gelled and some of the subbibg has baffled me. Things are starting to click more regularly. I like the frugal path and hope we can continue to play better and more effective football than our transfer and wage expenditure would suggest. I'd like to get a 'Mark Hughes' to the tune of Hey Jude going.. "Nah, nah, nah-nah-nah, nah nah nah, Mark Hughes...." Altogether now... Great idea re the song!
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Post by neddy on Mar 19, 2014 8:19:31 GMT
Re the hey Jude mark Hughes song can't it just be hughsey....much less gay!
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Post by johnsmithsupper on Mar 19, 2014 8:27:00 GMT
Excellent job so far Hughesy. I've seen the majority of the players individually improving. Shawcross, Cameron, Adam, Whelan, N'Zonzi and Crouch. I think Pieters, Arnie, Muniesa, and Odemwingie look great, have been warming to Assaidi {pre-injury} and Ireland. There have been times when they just havn't gelled and some of the subbibg has baffled me. Things are starting to click more regularly. I like the frugal path and hope we can continue to play better and more effective football than our transfer and wage expenditure would suggest. I'd like to get a 'Mark Hughes' to the tune of Hey Jude going.. "Nah, nah, nah-nah-nah, nah nah nah, Mark Hughes...." Altogether now... Great idea re the song! I love it and something original for a change
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Post by marrer on Mar 19, 2014 11:58:03 GMT
i completely agree with that mate...the problem is (and why so many people question stafford on it) is because you never get any kind of proper answer from him. even the one worder i asked for and originally got, he's now changed, backtracked on and quantified with some vague bullshit that deviates from the actual question. people have been asking for ages and got no answers (as i'm sure you know full well). i think it's perfectly justified to ask a man with a large picture of the ex-manager and slogan "Time to go Hughes" on his sig what his stance is on a thread that is entitled "Plaudits to Hughes". he says things are going well but can't wait to see the back of him..it's perfectly logical to question how he reconciles those 2 statements isn't it as that implies they would be happier with uncertainty instead of things going well as long as "The face fits". i would love to get an answer from an open question to stafford....there are literally dozens of people on here who have tried and failed so therefore, on this particular thread and taking into account his honest and public stance on the man this thread is about i have tried to nail down an actual answer.i thought i'd succeeded so asked for clarification, he then changed his answer..... Where have I changed my answer? He is doing a good job but I don't like him and won't be sorry to see him go. I don't get why you can't understand that? Mate, if he went, then who would you have and why?
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Post by Stafford-Stokie on Mar 19, 2014 12:06:47 GMT
No idea but then that isn't my job is it?
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Post by fca47 on Mar 19, 2014 12:18:29 GMT
Hughes has always come across as an arrogant tosspot to me, but I don't mix with any of the managers or players, so at the end of the day, they can have a shit personality as long as they get the results for Stoke. The jury is still out on Hughes, some good performances and some really poor ones. He will not have the get out of not having his own players next season, and hopefully he will be successful anyway. I don't buy the theory that he has been starved of funds anyway, we just haven't been able to get the players he wanted yet.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 19, 2014 12:42:29 GMT
There has definitely been a change in style this Season, that much is undeniable. It isn't as drastic as Wimbledon to Barcelona but you'd have to be blind not to notice the change in approach. Yes, at times we are still direct, but that isn't a bad thing and long may it continue. You need to be prepared to mix it up and play in different styles and we've certainly done that over the past 8 months.
The biggest plaudit I can give Hughes is that he's managed the transition on a shoestring budget and it echoes the job, in some ways, that he carried out at Blackburn. He had an eye for getting value for money and I think we've certainly had that in Ireland, Arnie, Assaidi and Odemwingie. He's also got much more out of Adam and he seems more motivated, fitter and disciplined to now play in a midfield two (which I never thought possible). All of that has been delivered on minimal financial outlay.
In my honest opinion, we're a top notch centre forward away from being in that bracket Southampton and Newcastle currently sit in, and that has to be the priorty (again) over the Summer - we're crying out for a new number 9.
It hasn't all been a bed of roses and there's certainly been some poor performances along the way, but did anybody expect it to be plain sailing after a change in direction and a move away from a very distinctive way of doing things for many years?
We've seen a fair few clubs panic and dump managers in recent months but you'll find that most of them are currently below us in the league and find themselves in more of a relegation battle than we currently do. The likes of Cardiff, Fulham, WBA and Sunderland have all paid the price for thinking there was a quick fix to be had and installing a revolving door on the Managers office. We've probably benefitted from the patience and stability we have at our club and that was always going to be the key word for this season - patience. We are actually getting stronger as the Season goes on and our campaign isn't dwindling out, and that is also a credit to Hughes for rotating the squad and instilling healthy competition; something we've lacked for a good while.
If we can get a couple more wins on the board and get safety in the bag, sooner rather than later, I think there are some very decent foundations to be built on for next year.
I've always believed Hughes would get it right and move us in the right direction. I said from day one I'd take survival this Season with the aim next year being a top 10 finish; I think we're looking very good to acheive that.
Huge credit to Hughes and his backroom staff.
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Post by werrington on Mar 19, 2014 12:46:33 GMT
One good game means as little as one bad game, the proof in the pudding is where we finish. If that's all that matters then just buy a Sunday paper mate Me .....I'm enjoying the entertainment and enjoying watching us trying to win games
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Post by mcf on Mar 19, 2014 12:57:46 GMT
One good game means as little as one bad game, the proof in the pudding is where we finish. If that's all that matters then just buy a Sunday paper mate Me .....I'm enjoying the entertainment and enjoying watching us trying to win games Are you telling me that you enjoyed Liverpool at home as much as the trio of games v Manu, Arsenal and WHU? The winning is what counts.
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Post by werrington on Mar 19, 2014 13:00:52 GMT
If that's all that matters then just buy a Sunday paper mate Me .....I'm enjoying the entertainment and enjoying watching us trying to win games Are you telling me that you enjoyed Liverpool at home as much as the trio of games v Manu, Arsenal and WHU? The winning is what counts. Yeah I did but the fact we didn't win tinged it You have totally missed the point I made Merk
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Post by mcf on Mar 19, 2014 13:06:59 GMT
I've not missed it...I just don't understand it and can't relate to it. If you said that you simply prefer Hughes tactics to Pulisace tactics then I would get that. Pulis never set out not to win games though. That is a lie. It could be argued that up until 'The Shit' at home that Hughes wasn't really interested in winning games....merely keeping the ball even if they meant fucking around with it at the back. I won't though as it would spoil the common ground and ambience.
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