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Post by Deleted on Apr 24, 2014 19:05:44 GMT
When he was linked with the job, I really didn't want him. I was hoping we'd take a chance on someone like Meulensteen or Solskjaer! Thank God for Peter Coates and the team!! But from the second he was announced, no fucker was saying a bad word about Stoke City's Leslie Mark Hughes. I don't think he'll ever be in my Heart like Pulis is, mainly because I'm 18 and Pulis has been pretty much all I've know. I only remember a little of Gudjon, mainly him crying at the end of the 2001/02 season review after winning promotion and being sacked the next morning! It was nice to see Hughes and his team take more of an interest into fans opinions and feed back to us, something which we weren't really used to. My expectation for the season was to see progression as the season went on. I was happy to "just survive" as long as it was clear Hughes had a plan to push us on in the coming seasons. Any expectations have long been surpassed. We're playing very good football at times, and just need to add consistency and more goals to our game. More away wins has to be a target next year, and adding more youth ( and PACE) to the squad. I was one of the sad bastards who stayed up to the early hours to watch our games in the USA, just to get a feel of how we were setting up and how Hughes was trying to change it. At first I wasn't happy. We were still operating with Whelan and Crouch, two players I wanted us to replace. But again, I have been proven wrong and they have been two of our best players this season! My main gripe at the start was our complete overhaul of the playing style. We 'd gone from 'Pulisball' to Swansea style toothlessness and looked awful any time a team pressed. Kudos to Hughes for realising this and changing it. We went back to basics and built on what the Pulis era had left us. We've now found the right mix of possession, counter attack and long ball imo, and will only improve over the course of next season as Hughes gets players who he feels suit his system and they get time to gel. I think he might look to bring in a 'ball playing centre half'. Caulker fits the bill, but I think he'd be out of our range. I still think we are lacking goals. A striker to give us a different option to PC is essential in summer. I thought Guidetti may have been the man but that hasn't worked out for one reason or another. I would also like to see a sitting Midfielder to offer more protection to the defence. Maybe he'll take a look at Cameron in that position over pre-season and go for a RB? Hughes faces a task in sorting out the Goalkeeping situation we'll be left with in summer. I think Tommy will move else where or even retire, and Begovic will surely leave. Will he give Butland the chance? Will he look to bring in a number 1 with experience? I think Craig Gordon is still a free agent. I'd be happy to see him come in as number 1 for a season whilst Butland broadens his experience, and then let them fight it out for the spot the season after. We haven't seen many young players get a chance yet under Hughes. He has bought in Muniesa which shows he is happy to use youthful, less experienced players. It's clear we have no-one in the academy ready to step up into the first team yet, although he did put Charlie Ward on the bench at Villa, and Bachmann has become 3rd choice with JB out on loan. This shows the younger lads that he is open to promoting players from the academy, if and when they're ready. Personally I'm not expecting a lot for a couple of years at least. The U17's did very well to win the trophy an the weekend, and along with the award of Category 1 status for the academy, I'm hopeful that it will bear fruit in the years to come. I think the job Hughes has done means Coates will trust him with more money than he did last year, especially with ST numbers seemingly on the rise, and the extra money from TV revenue. It won't be anything like Pulis was given when he was throwing £18m at Spurs for PC/WP but I think if a player is available and Hughes feels he will do the job then Mr Coates would sanction a deal. It means we can give Hughes the chance to build for the future and with not only the next season, but the season after in mind, something to a club like Stoke. A team who need security and stability. To give the green light to a complete overhaul and spend big money straight away would have been utter madness, especially considering his previous effort at QPR. We've currently got a good mix of flair/creative players in Arnie/Adam/Ireland etc and still got the grafters like Whelan, SJW. The players he's bought in have done very well. We look very solid in some areas - LB with Erik and Muni, CAM with Adam and Stevie Ireland. Who knows if the state of league, when anyone has got results against anyone has helped or hindered us? It was the right time for Pulis to go. I'll always be eternally grateful for what he has done for my football club and the memories he has given me, but I also look forward to the new era of SCFC. The change also looks to have done him a favour and he has worked wonders at Palace. Mark Hughes Barmy Army!
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Post by geoff321 on Apr 24, 2014 19:09:13 GMT
I see a similarity between Mark Hughes and David Moyes. Moyes does really well for Preston and Everton, lands a top job at United and is not given time. Hughes does well for Wales and Blackburn lands a top job at City and is not given time.
Both good managers and decent men in my view, I think Stoke are in good hands.
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Post by mermaidsal on Apr 24, 2014 19:32:16 GMT
Very happy - after a scary mid-season dip I'm looking forward to every game and it's a long long time since I've said that.
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Post by Sergeant Muttley on Apr 24, 2014 19:34:52 GMT
Must say when he was appointed i wasn't very happy at all but thankfully he's proved me wrong and long may it continue.
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Post by werrington on Apr 24, 2014 19:36:26 GMT
Called it at the time he was an excellent appointment
Benitez and Martinez were always in reality non starters so he was the next best thing
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Post by Sergeant Muttley on Apr 24, 2014 19:37:49 GMT
Called it at the time he was an excellent appointment Benitez and Martinez were always in reality non starters so he was the next best thing I bow to thee
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Post by kitkatkev on Apr 24, 2014 19:57:25 GMT
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Post by bayernoatcake on Apr 24, 2014 19:58:44 GMT
Yes. Was when he was appointed though.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 24, 2014 19:59:34 GMT
I don't think he'll ever be in my Heart like Pulis is I bet you're not much for Yorkie's either.
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Post by sheikhmomo on Apr 24, 2014 20:10:36 GMT
I fail to see how you can be anything other than delighted. Only 8 out of 10 from though. He really did get in a muddle earlier in the season and the passing was at times brainless. Also I don't really like this 'we'll be stronger in the second half of the season' cack. Fair enough he was cock on but I don't want to see poor early season form justified with that bollocks next season, oh and his subs are more often than not wank.
Clearly the best man for the job.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 24, 2014 20:14:23 GMT
Very happy - after a scary mid-season dip I'm looking forward to every game and it's a long long time since I've said that. This ^
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Post by 2733517 on Apr 24, 2014 20:20:33 GMT
To be honest I don't post on here much I am absolutely delighted by what's been achieved this season , we've improved as the season has progressed and I've got a genuine feeling we could become top ten regulars over the next couple of seasons
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Post by Deleted on Apr 24, 2014 20:23:57 GMT
Pulis - spends £100million and takes us backwards = incredible job. Hughes - spends nowt in comparison, has us playing some football and looking like surpassing our best ever points total and a top 10 finish = decent job. The mind of a rimmer. You are obsessed with this figure of £100m (Pulis didnt even spend exactly £100m, but don't let that stop you). I can just picture you staggering around the streets stinking of piss shouting '£100m' '£100m' '£100m' Pulis only took us backwards last season and that was after taking us forwards since 2006, but don't let that stop you, did you know he wasted £100m entirely on shit players?
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Post by musik on Apr 24, 2014 20:34:02 GMT
Hellu! I was pleased when he was appointed as our new manager. I'm pleased now also, but... I wish we had bought two players before the transfer window closed! I wish he had given Guidetti more time on the pitch. I can't imagine he wants to stay. He isn't as active down the sideline as TP was. Bad or good? bread//:musik
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Post by march4 on Apr 24, 2014 20:34:45 GMT
I'm happy.
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Post by Gunslinger on Apr 24, 2014 20:39:42 GMT
I'm very happy with MH so far. A somewhat shaky start, but has improved steadily during the season. I'm really looking forward to the next season!
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Post by Deleted on Apr 24, 2014 20:49:32 GMT
I'll keep it brief. Chuffed!
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Post by chumley on Apr 24, 2014 21:01:47 GMT
When watching us play Fulham years ago when Hughes was their manager i recall thinking, why cant we play like them, so was happy with him...his record apart from QPR was actually very good. Gone from being bored under TP to having my interest rekindled under Hughes, so more than happy...
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Post by elystokie on Apr 24, 2014 21:04:55 GMT
Absolutely ecstatic personally. Had no strong view on him before he was appointed, anybody (bar one) would have done for me at that point, but I'm delighted to say he's surpassed all of my expectations for the season (except narrowly losing out to Liverpool on my season long handicap bet for about £400 still look like making £100 tho', had it each way ) The added bonus is he's 'blown out of the water' many myths that have been peddled on here and in the meeja by a select few for the last few years Long may it continue. Goooaarrrrrn Hughesy, possibly my favourite ever Welshman
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Post by Deleted on Apr 24, 2014 21:14:29 GMT
Pulis - spends £100million and takes us backwards = incredible job. Hughes - spends nowt in comparison, has us playing some football and looking like surpassing our best ever points total and a top 10 finish = decent job. The mind of a rimmer. You are obsessed with this figure of £100m (Pulis didnt even spend exactly £100m, but don't let that stop you). I can just picture you staggering around the streets stinking of piss shouting '£100m' '£100m' '£100m' Pulis only took us backwards last season and that was after taking us forwards since 2006, but don't let that stop you, did you know he wasted £100m entirely on shit players? Correct, it was only £94m
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Post by Sergeant Muttley on Apr 24, 2014 21:21:28 GMT
Pulis - spends £100million and takes us backwards = incredible job. Hughes - spends nowt in comparison, has us playing some football and looking like surpassing our best ever points total and a top 10 finish = decent job. The mind of a rimmer. You are obsessed with this figure of £100m (Pulis didnt even spend exactly £100m, but don't let that stop you). I can just picture you staggering around the streets stinking of piss shouting '£100m' '£100m' '£100m' Pulis only took us backwards last season and that was after taking us forwards since 2006, but don't let that stop you, did you know he wasted £100m entirely on shit players? Pugs never lets us down does he.Just ask him to repeat his posts about Pulis not getting another premiership job ever that should keep him quiet for a while.
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Post by roylandstoke on Apr 24, 2014 21:38:06 GMT
do you think hughes would have kept palace up ? Yes. Easily.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 24, 2014 21:54:12 GMT
Don't mind saying that I was unimpressed with the appointment, worried at the lack of organisation until well in to 2014, surprised at some good wins against top teams and very happy in the last few months. Well done MH.
It all starts again in August, then the real test starts.
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Post by malteser68 on Apr 24, 2014 21:54:56 GMT
I'm very happy with Hughes. Saw some football after years of hoofball. And things can only get better
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Post by boskampsflaps on Apr 24, 2014 22:01:03 GMT
The shit part is saying he was taking us down, it wasn't going to happen and wasn't the reason it was time for him to go. How can you say it wasn't going to happen? Based on the season before he was sacked we were playing terrible football in terms of how it looked and the results it produced. Pulis was too stubborn to change anything at the time and I don't see why he would've suddenly decided to change anything. I know the official reason was that 'the club wanted to go in a different direction' etc. But if Pulis was producing decent results whilst playing his terrible style of football I very much doubt he'd have been sacked. He had stopped producing results and showed no sign of changing things. I agree the football was hard to watch, but we weren't going down, and if we stuck with him I don't think he ever would have taken us down.
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Post by victoriaboothenboy on Apr 24, 2014 22:16:36 GMT
So far so good.. Mark Hughes has built well this season on the platform provided by the previous manager ...Onwards to 2014-2015
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Post by scfc2014 on Apr 24, 2014 23:15:31 GMT
I like Hughes I do,he plays some great football,pulis played shit,Hughes was a brilliant player pulis was shit in fact a dirty clogger who at any chance he had whould wallop it up field,pulis was a twat who wasted loads of money on crap players(wilko) and nearly took us down and could have gone into admin,Hughes on the other hand is playing carpet football and long may it reign,so I like Hughes and won't forgive pulis for what he did
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Post by whereami on Apr 24, 2014 23:27:00 GMT
At times in the first half of the season (and since the Genoa friendly really) I was worried he'd make us too blunt; too often I could see Man City ineffectually prodding at our defensive wall in the game Rory was sent of in, but now in our own play. Whether it was a master plan, blind luck or (more likely) somewhere in the middle he's made us a hell of a lot more potent now, and I'm a massive fan of how much he's been trying to get over the idea of finishing the season at a sprint. That the change has happened in the same season as the upheaval at the top of the table means that progressing further in the next season or 2 doesnt seem as impossible as it seemed in the last few years of the "3 table" premier league.. as the league has grown a hint of unpredictability we've got a hint of potential, and as unlikely as it may be looking for more next season, regardless of how well we finish this season, it isnt completely unfathomable. Very impressive home record too, one fuckup in the autumn sun excepted.
Wasnt happy when we got him, happy to admit I got it very wrong now. Remembering the manager merry-go-round after Macari it seemed unbelievable we'd get another manager straight after Pulis who "fit" the job in hand, and we have done. Onwards and upwards!
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Post by robstokie on Apr 24, 2014 23:42:35 GMT
He has done a fantastic job. He has bought in some real quality (Arnie, Ode, Ireland, Pieters) plus a really good player in the making (Muniesa) for bargain basement prices, got rid of the lazy fuckers (KJ, Pennant), bought the best out of individuals such as Adam, Whelan and Crouchy whilst adding a new dimension to Shawcross's game. Oh, and we now play some decent stuff and actually look like nicking a goal or two whenever we play.
Bravo Sparky. Onwards and upwards
However, there are still things we need to work on, such as the away form and the ability to bring in cover in key positions (central striker and centre-half spring to mind). All in all though, its been a thoroughly decent season (or at least not as much of a car crash that it could have been).
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Post by robstokie on Apr 24, 2014 23:42:55 GMT
He has done a fantastic job. He has bought in some real quality (Arnie, Ode, Ireland, Pieters) plus a really good player in the making (Muniesa) for bargain basement prices, got rid of the lazy fuckers (KJ, Pennant), bought the best out of individuals such as Adam, Whelan and Crouchy whilst adding a new dimension to Shawcross's game. Oh, and we now play some decent stuff and actually look like nicking a goal or two whenever we play.
Bravo Sparky. Onwards and upwards
However, there are still things we need to work on, such as the away form and the ability to bring in cover in key positions (central striker and centre-half spring to mind). All in all though, its been a thoroughly decent season (or at least not as much of a car crash that it could have been).
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