Mark Hughes isn't perfect but he's damn good.

[ted1965]

I am already putting on my tin hat but having looked at some posts over the last few days makes me wonder what some people actually expect or want from Mark Hughes, apparently if he had been running around like a headless chicken yelling come on insert name every 30 seconds somehow we would not have lost at Liverpool Sunday sometimes criticism beggars belief. I have no issues with people criticising a poor performance and digging out a few players who lacked the fight for the game or questioning the managers decision making at times that’s what opinions are for but believing that somehow his lack of ability to flap his arms about and yell at the players like a demented seal for 90 minutes is ludicrous.

Once more we are in a strong position we have had ups and downs this season but overall we are once more likely to finish in the top half of the Premier League something we could only hope for not long ago, it’s now something we actually expect and then some. The previous manager lowered expectations and many were perfectly content, we had to play a certain way because we were just lucky to be where we were and for many years that was fine. When people asked for a little more excitement they were shouted down and told they were ungrateful and needed to respect what had been achieved, often that was fair comment but again mainly because we were told so often to expect little and be glad we were still in the Premier League come August.

The style of play became beyond tedious supporters were beginning to question whether there was really any other style that would achieve the same results. I am not suggesting every game under Mark Hughes is heart pounding or that we are amazing week in week out but the truth is we rarely go into a game with the intention of shutting up shop and merely suffocating the opposition, we try to win does it always work no, if it did we would be top of the league instead of Leicester. We are still a side progressing sometimes regressing within a season but ultimately we have and are improving year in year out. When you look at the Stoke City squad anyone who says they expected such players here whoever the manager was is talking garbage, yes money talks but realistically Mark Hughes has great puling power for a club of our size. He raises expectations because he doesn’t talk about bonus games or convince us we can’t compete with the bigger clubs and therefore shouldn’t even try. Sadly raised expectations usually result in some disappointments when we lose games but I would rather lose 4-1 at Liverpool from 8th in the league than 18th oh and before anyone screams you don’t mind losing, of course I hate watching the team I love getting beaten easily whoever is playing or in charge but what I know is we have the ability and capacity to do the same to Liverpool on a good day too and those good days are a lot more often than they once were.

I do think Leicester doing so well has once more focussed unrealistic expectations for some, we should be doing better and if certain results had gone our way we would be but realistically Leicester is a once in a generational event, would I love to be them of course I would. The reality of Leicester is they are a group of solid professionals with a couple of real quality players playing above and beyond anyone’s expectations, will they be able to come close to repeating it next season, very unlikely but for now who cares. I would say honestly looking at the from 1-11 and then looking at us with everyone fit and playing to their full potential very few would change positions with them in general.

As for not giving youth a chance, that can and is levelled at most managers in the Premier League but the truth is you can only do that if you have the players to perform at that level. If you simply throw a player in because you want to appease supporters you could destroy that player, if he looks out of his depth because he’s not yet ready supporters will immediately ask, why the hell was so and so playing he’s no better than league 1 or Championship ability and a player who may simply need experience is destroyed possibly forever. I want to see home grown players coming through and making an impact but again surely they have to be ready and blooded when the pressure is off. Technically we are still in with a reasonable chance of Europe, the poor inexperienced keeper is getting abused in some quarters hardly his fault Butland is injured and Given barely back from a long term injury, you’re dammed if you do dammed in you don’t.
Of course it’s an important summer and the recruiting and securing of those who others may covert within our own squad is paramount in how next season will play out but I for one believe we are on the verge of something special but with Leicester about to win the title some a very few will believe whatever we may achieve just wont be enough.
Mark Hughes and this squad have over the last three years made me fall in love with football again and for that I am grateful and delighted and actually anticipate games again not all of them are things of wonder but at least there are players in that squad who make the hairs on your neck stand up, make you take a sharp intake of breath wondering what they are capable of next. I do agree the balance must be found between craft and graft but I trust Mark Hughes will find it and then we can become far more consistent as well as exciting.

[chiefdelilah]

On the one hand we've been a touch unlucky to have a transitional season the year the gap finally narrows. Most teams are going to struggle without 2-3 of their best players.

On the other hand I think Hughes has got it wrong more this season than in previous seasons. It's never been entirely clear what our best team is, his subs have frequently been baffling, and the problems breaking teams down at home look no closer to being resolved. We can't keep a clean sheet either.

Yet when it clicks we look brilliant and we could still improve on last season.

No need to panic, plenty of positives, but still somehow a feeling that we've never quite hit the heights we wanted to this season often enough.

Next season will be a big one for the manager and tell us a lot about our potential under him.

[foster]

Apr 12, 2016 7:42:07 GMT chiefdelilah said:

On the one hand we've been a touch unlucky to have a transitional season the year the gap finally narrows. Most teams are going to struggle without 2-3 of their best players.

On the other hand I think Hughes has got it wrong more this season than in previous seasons. It's never been entirely clear what our best team is, his subs have frequently been baffling, and the problems breaking teams down at home look no closer to being resolved. We can't keep a clean sheet either.

Yet when it clicks we look brilliant and we could still improve on last season.

No need to panic, plenty of positives, but still somehow a feeling that we've never quite hit the heights we wanted to this season often enough.

Next season will be a big one for the manager and tell us a lot about our potential under him.

I think it's a tough task keeping our strikers happy when we have 4 who I imagine will all feel that they're good enough to start.

With some older deadwood players going out and some youth players coming in (hopefully) then we'll have a team of mature players who get more consistent starts and youth players happy to play second fiddle.

[JoeinOz]

Done a very good job so far. Anyone who thinks otherwise, well, what do they want realistically? Key word being realistically.

[torquaypotter]

TED the voice of reason .Well put sir

[that's our Ric]

I think injuries have really crippled us this season too, when you consider the loss of our captain, the various back 4 shuffles throughout, and just recently Butland.
Compare that situation with Leicester being able to play the same team week in week out.
Though as the Chief says, does Hughes really know his best 11 ?

Agree with the OP though, that the potential is exciting, and I'm already fully booked up for next season

[Deleted]

He's done a brilliant job so far. The football we're playing now compared with under TP is a joy to watch.

We might not win every week, but we never will let's remember we're still Stoke City - we're doing fantastically well, and next season I expect we'll push on even more.

[ohbottom]

Is there a world comma shortage?

[davejohnno1]

No matter how frustrated I feel in a given performance I always feel better when I listen to his post match comments.

Sunday was the same.

He was honest in saying the 2nd half display wasn't good enough and you just know the next one will be better as a result.

Monday nights game v spurs, I'm sure, will be a cracker.

[sheikhmomo]

The likelihood of us getting anyone better, with his range of contacts and profile and pull for players even after 8 years in the Premier League is virtually non-existent and he’s about to deliver another excellent season when set against our history. Any talk of getting rid is thankfully restricted to a minute lunatic fringe.

Despite some of the errors listed by Rob above, I don’t think you can underestimate our lethargy in the January transfer market. Sure we got a near world class midfielder but not to even try to reinforce a backline that even then was on its arse and expect two powerful wingers (one already with a questionable injury record) to see out an entire season was thinking straight from the madhouse.

[richardparker]

Agree.
There's a thread elsewhere about Sunday's match, where I think the players lacked motivation and conviction.
Hughes is very trusting of his players and generally avoids the tub-thumping cry to rally. Our players need to be more alert to danger (see Liverpool's first goal); they also need to dig in better when the opposition gain momentum, than they have done in the last 2 matches (and at other times this season).

[foster]

Apr 12, 2016 8:15:42 GMT sheikhmomo said:

The likelihood of us getting anyone better, with his range of contacts and profile and pull for players even after 8 years in the Premier League is virtually non-existent and he’s about to deliver another excellent season when set against our history. Any talk of getting rid is thankfully restricted to a minute lunatic fringe.

Despite some of the errors listed by Rob above, I don’t think you can underestimate our lethargy in the January transfer market. Sure we got a near world class midfielder but not to even try to reinforce a backline that even then was on its arse and expect two powerful wingers (one already with a questionable injury record) to see out an entire season was thinking straight from the madhouse.

I agree with the first part of your post.

As for the second, I imagine after spending 18m on Imbula and not shifting out much deadwood that space in the squad and finances were limited to pretty much zero. I expect some significant activity this summer.

[sheikhmomo]

Apr 12, 2016 8:30:43 GMT foster said:

Apr 12, 2016 8:15:42 GMT sheikhmomo said:

The likelihood of us getting anyone better, with his range of contacts and profile and pull for players even after 8 years in the Premier League is virtually non-existent and he’s about to deliver another excellent season when set against our history. Any talk of getting rid is thankfully restricted to a minute lunatic fringe.

Despite some of the errors listed by Rob above, I don’t think you can underestimate our lethargy in the January transfer market. Sure we got a near world class midfielder but not to even try to reinforce a backline that even then was on its arse and expect two powerful wingers (one already with a questionable injury record) to see out an entire season was thinking straight from the madhouse.

I agree with the first part of your post.

As for the second, I imagine after spending 18m on Imbula and not shifting out much deadwood that space in the squad and finances were limited to pretty much zero. I expect some significant activity this summer.

We had two loan spots available.

[jeycov]

Apr 12, 2016 8:30:43 GMT foster said:

Apr 12, 2016 8:15:42 GMT sheikhmomo said:

The likelihood of us getting anyone better, with his range of contacts and profile and pull for players even after 8 years in the Premier League is virtually non-existent and he’s about to deliver another excellent season when set against our history. Any talk of getting rid is thankfully restricted to a minute lunatic fringe.

Despite some of the errors listed by Rob above, I don’t think you can underestimate our lethargy in the January transfer market. Sure we got a near world class midfielder but not to even try to reinforce a backline that even then was on its arse and expect two powerful wingers (one already with a questionable injury record) to see out an entire season was thinking straight from the madhouse.

I agree with the first part of your post.

As for the second, I imagine after spending 18m on Imbula and not shifting out much deadwood that space in the squad and finances were limited to pretty much zero. I expect some significant activity this summer.

I believe that the club were looking to add more quality to the squad in January and are always looking at who is available.

Just because we didn't sign anyone else doesn't mean we didn't try, it does mean we didn't buy for the sake of it and MH felt we have enough for the 2nd half of the season.

In all probability, we won't get most top players we are linked with over the summer but I am confident that the squad will be strengthened and a number of players will be sold.

Recent injuries show just how important it is to have 25 players all able to step up to the first team, with all playing positions / roles covered.

The likes of Geoff Cameron are invaluable in this respect

MH and co are doing a great job, expectations maybe running a little high for some fans

[Staffsoatcake]

I would be happy to see him stay for a long long time.
How many managers would have got us challenging for a top 8 spot?Pulis never managed to get us in the top half, yet some would be glad to see him back.

[ryan4england]

I'm sure if he could go out and buy 11 x 18m players he would do. Doing a great job with what he has imo.

[chrisparker]

Hughes is arguably the best manager we've had in over 25 years & he's slowly & surely improving us bit by bit every season. He has reduced the debts left by Tony Pulis by nearly 35 million in his first 2 seasons, he has attracted some wonderful talent through his connections with his former clubs, he has invested in youth this season & is looking to improve our youth squad, he has dramatically changed our style of play making us more easy on the eye (we have played some stunning football this season), he has brought a winning mentality to Stoke ( the fact that we are so disappointed with a defeat at Anfield is a testament to just how much he has raised expectations at the club), he's breaking record after record every season & the list just goes on & on.

I actually wanted him to take over the club right after Tony Pulis' unforgivable capitulation at Valencia & I stand by that statement today. Hughes is the right man to take us forward. We may never find a manager as good as him & it would be absolutely ridiculous to let him go. If it were up to me, I would love for him to leave his own legacy at Stoke.

[Deleted]

Great post as usual, but I think that we need to get away (if possible) from stop gap replacements. The full back situation has always bugged me. In this league nowadays I believe you need young pacey full backs, which is obvious that we haven't got. Other than that I'm not convinced by the forwards ( which as anyone knows) I haven't been for a long time. My priorities would be to bring in two young full backs and another (sorry to be so repetitive) striker. We obviously need to offload a few players as well. We all probably know who they are. Personally, I have a lot of faith in Hughsie, but I'm bothered that the big clubs will escape our grasp again, when we are so close to keeping up or at least nearly being able to compete on a regular basis with them. As we all know injuries have virtually ruined our season, but some serious decisions need to be made in the transfer window, and more money spent.

[chrisparker]

Apr 12, 2016 9:53:55 GMT @robo51 said:

Great post as usual, but I think that we need to get away (if possible) from stop gap replacements. The full back situation has always bugged me. In this league nowadays I believe you need young pacey full backs, which is obvious that we haven't got. Other than that I'm not convinced by the forwards ( which as anyone knows) I haven't been for a long time. My priorities would be to bring in two young full backs and another (sorry to be so repetitive) striker. We obviously need to offload a few players as well. We all probably know who they are. Personally, I have a lot of faith in Hughsie, but I'm bothered that the big clubs will escape our grasp again, when we are so close to keeping up or at least nearly being able to compete on a regular basis with them. As we all know injuries have virtually ruined our season, but some serious decisions need to be made in the transfer window, and more money spent.

Johnson has been a huge player for us this season though. Prior to his injury, he had one of the highest chance creation stats in our team & Pieters, although not in the best of form right now, has I think made the most number of tackles in the premier league. I agree we could do with a bit more pace in our back 4 but I don't see the full back situation as being a huge issue. When all our defenders are fit, we've got one of the strongest defensive records in the league.

The striker situation is a huge problem though. Crouch is no longer the player he used to be. Diouf needs 3-4 clear cut chances to score a goal. Joselu is too inconsistent. SJW has been our most prolific striker but he too is quite inconsistent. We really need a striker who can bag 15-20 goals every season. Perhaps we should try false 9 against Spurs.

[foster]

Apr 12, 2016 9:05:23 GMT jeycov said:

Apr 12, 2016 8:30:43 GMT foster said:

I agree with the first part of your post.

As for the second, I imagine after spending 18m on Imbula and not shifting out much deadwood that space in the squad and finances were limited to pretty much zero. I expect some significant activity this summer.

I believe that the club were looking to add more quality to the squad in January and are always looking at who is available.

Just because we didn't sign anyone else doesn't mean we didn't try, it does mean we didn't buy for the sake of it and MH felt we have enough for the 2nd half of the season.

In all probability, we won't get most top players we are linked with over the summer but I am confident that the squad will be strengthened and a number of players will be sold.

Recent injuries show just how important it is to have 25 players all able to step up to the first team, with all playing positions / roles covered.

The likes of Geoff Cameron are invaluable in this respect

MH and co are doing a great job, expectations maybe running a little high for some fans

Or perhaps some of our targets just aren't available until the summer. Meaning it's either wait a bit and get your first choice targets, or buy a B choice player just for the sake of it (as you say).

[elystokie]

(bravo) ted, the voice of truth and reason as always, agree with all of it.

Just wish I'd got myself a cup of tea and some biscuits before I opened the thread, I knew what was coming (slaphead)

[thestatusquo]

I don't think we've looked as good this season. There have been odd games where we've looked fantastic but other games we've looked ponderous and slow. Injuries haven't helped but we still need a few players to make a serious tilt at top 6 / 7.

[PB1863]

its been an incredibly up and down year and with so many of the so called big teams slipping our expectations were higher than usual. Also with Leicester doing well we wanted more.To finish eighth would be an improvement on last year and with a few additions to the squad and less injuries next year Europe would most certainly be a possibility.

[crapslinger]

Apr 12, 2016 12:06:59 GMT PB1863 said:

its been an incredibly up and down year and with so many of the so called big teams slipping our expectations were higher than usual. Also with Leicester doing well we wanted more.To finish eighth would be an improvement on last year and with a few additions to the squad and less injuries next year Europe would most certainly be a possibility.

We have bought in13 players since last summer plus extending at least two contracts, we sold three players we needed three players at the end of last season on consideration have we made some poor acquisitions ?, on the face of it you would have to say we have the argument on here was that our squad is stronger than last, we have had injuries our squad has proved to me that they are not up to the job required of them. We need a clear out this summer a decent back up keeper, possibly two fullbacks, a solid CB to partner Ryan, at least one winger, a GW replacement in the making and a striker, considering we needed three at the end of last season bought in thirteen and in my opinion require six more hardly progression.  

[Deleted]

It doesn't matter how anyone tries to gloss over it, but this season has been IMHO a massive let down. Every time a match that means anything comes up, we blow it. Liverpool in the semi final to name but one. One of the worse Liverpool teams in living memory, that we should have had a great chance to knock out. Blew it. Southampton and Swansea when a chance to get in the top seven. Blew it. I don't think the squad is good enough, and am completely frustrated by the end of the season. I want desperately for Stoke to bloody win something, and do not think the squad is good or strong enough. Rant over!

[thebet365]

Apr 12, 2016 12:28:20 GMT crapslinger said:

Apr 12, 2016 12:06:59 GMT PB1863 said:

its been an incredibly up and down year and with so many of the so called big teams slipping our expectations were higher than usual. Also with Leicester doing well we wanted more.To finish eighth would be an improvement on last year and with a few additions to the squad and less injuries next year Europe would most certainly be a possibility.

We have bought in13 players since last summer plus extending at least two contracts, we sold three players we needed three players at the end of last season on consideration have we made some poor acquisitions ?, on the face of it you would have to say we have the argument on here was that our squad is stronger than last, we have had injuries our squad has proved to me that they are not up to the job required of them. We need a clear out this summer a decent back up keeper, possibly two fullbacks, a solid CB to partner Ryan, at least one winger, a GW replacement in the making and a striker, considering we needed three at the end of last season bought in thirteen and in my opinion require six more hardly progression.  

13 players ?

Joselu
Johnson
Imbula
Affelay
Haaguard
Given
Shaqiri

Plus turning Wolscheid loan into permanent. I make that 8 ?

Of those 8, the 2 keepers were needed as we sold 1 and another retired.
Imbula replaced Nzonzi via Van ginkel failed stop gap.
Wolscheid replacing the outgoing Huth.
Johnson defo an upgrade on Bardsley
Affelay a very good squad addition pushing Adam & Ireland down the pecking order
Shaqiri a much needed right winger

The only signing that's been questionable is the Joselu 1, we didn't really need him.

Which ones am I missing ?

[kustokie]

Apr 12, 2016 11:11:24 GMT foster said:

Apr 12, 2016 9:05:23 GMT jeycov said:

I believe that the club were looking to add more quality to the squad in January and are always looking at who is available.

Just because we didn't sign anyone else doesn't mean we didn't try, it does mean we didn't buy for the sake of it and MH felt we have enough for the 2nd half of the season.

In all probability, we won't get most top players we are linked with over the summer but I am confident that the squad will be strengthened and a number of players will be sold.

Recent injuries show just how important it is to have 25 players all able to step up to the first team, with all playing positions / roles covered.

The likes of Geoff Cameron are invaluable in this respect

MH and co are doing a great job, expectations maybe running a little high for some fans

Or perhaps some of our targets just aren't available until the summer. Meaning it's either wait a bit and get your first choice targets, or buy a B choice player just for the sake of it (as you say).

I agree.  Sir Alex's opinion was that good players are very difficult to find in January transfer window.  Imbula seems to be the exception that proves the rule.  We brought in some great players last Summer, so there's no reason we can't improve on that this year.  The biggest problem is every team is fishing in the same pond.  

[mickmillslovechild]

Apr 12, 2016 11:11:24 GMT foster said:

Apr 12, 2016 9:05:23 GMT jeycov said:

I believe that the club were looking to add more quality to the squad in January and are always looking at who is available.

Just because we didn't sign anyone else doesn't mean we didn't try, it does mean we didn't buy for the sake of it and MH felt we have enough for the 2nd half of the season.

In all probability, we won't get most top players we are linked with over the summer but I am confident that the squad will be strengthened and a number of players will be sold.

Recent injuries show just how important it is to have 25 players all able to step up to the first team, with all playing positions / roles covered.

The likes of Geoff Cameron are invaluable in this respect

MH and co are doing a great job, expectations maybe running a little high for some fans

Or perhaps some of our targets just aren't available until the summer. Meaning it's either wait a bit and get your first choice targets, or buy a B choice player just for the sake of it (as you say).

agree with both here

i never understand this "We didn't buy anyone therefore we didn't even try" argument, especially during the January window when players prices are traditionally bumped way up anyway and many (at the level we seem to be looking at nowadays) just wouldn't want to leave a club mid season

[Kjones9]

The same ones moaning about not signing anyone in January would be the same ones that would be first to moan about 'the suits' if said signings didn't work.

[mrcoke]

I agree with much of what has been written above and think MH and his assistants have been a boon to the club.

Unfortunately both the last two seasons have been marred by injuries. The squad was significantly strengthened during last summer to try and avoid a repeat of the frustration due to injuries in 2014/15 but the absence of Ryan and, IMO loss of form this year following his second outage, have really hurt us hard; plus our continued failure to score the number of goals a top half of the Prem side should. We have had better quality players to step in this season, but the constant disruption to the team has been damaging to establishing consistent performances.

I hope that the evolution in our club will continue. In Ryan and Jack plus the development of Imbula we have the potential for an excellent spine to the team. MH, like TP before him has failed to secure a consistent top rate scorer (unlike Leicester who managed to secure 2!). I don't expect Stoke will ever go out and spend >£100m like the top clubs, but I am confident in the management's ability to find the quality of players (old or young) to keep us at a highly competitive level.

When you look what other clubs spent last summer, in retrospect we have done very well.
 www.skysports.com/football/news/11661/9976568/how-much-did-your-club-spend-premier-league-transfer-window-net-spend-table

I'm sure the major difficulty faced is attracting quality players to move to a "small backwater", which is what Stoke is, and then there is, and will be, the problem of players wanting to move on and "better themselves". MH has been brilliant for us at this, but with the loss of Bego and N'Zonzi, not perfect. 

No need to put on a tin hat for me ted I'm in full agreement with you.