Mark Hughes - NEW POLL

We simply can't lose like that again.

That is the one shocker I'll allow this season.

Any more and I'll expect Hughes to resign.

Losing 3 0 at Morecambe is a gut check.

If we don't improve significantly I'll be asking him to leave.

 

were going backwards though, he has dumped some solid performers and brought in new players. The start is terrible, going down to 10 men first day and a big defeat today, that isn't instant gratification its instant capitulation.

 

We are 5 competitive games in, of which 3 showed signs of promise although far from perfect. Funny how the panic ensues after the most recent - and very poor - performance at Morecambe.

As I said in my original post. I'm not blind of the flaws, there is clear room for improvement. However, we need to hold our nerve, be patient and let the team settle in. Many of the pre-season favourites have got off to iffy starts, which emphasises my point even more.

Don't get too excited after a win and don't overreact after a defeat - despite the dreadful performance yesterday. 15 games in and then let's see where we are.

 

Couldnt agree more. Changing manager now would be madness. This is MHs squad and he absolutely has to sort it. Anyone coming in will be stuck with the same squad till Jan. Yesterday has to be rock bottom as far as this season is concerned. A massive reset and some big decisions needed over the coming weeks. Anything approaching a repeat of yesterday though and MHs position will start to become intenable sadly

 

I think Hughes will be given a lot of time to turn this around. But if Crewe go 1-0 up next Saturday I wouldn't be surprised to hear some Hughes out style chants.

He needs to be braver with selection, but there's also just an off feeling with this team. They really don't look comfortable playing this tactic, but Hughes said a few times over the summer than we will alter tactics and have versatility in the squad..... but fails to alter anything and we play very predictable slow football. Not sure if it's stubbornness, or just a belief that this tactic will eventually work, but something needs to change quickly for Hughes.

 

Realistically he needs to see the season out as the club don't want to be hiring and firing and we don't have the money to pay him off but jeez he needs to start helping himself. He's now stuck between two mindsets. He's gone all for wing backs and desperately wants it work but he knows a flat back four served him well. If he wants any chance of success he needs to stick and not keep twisting. Personally I prefer a flat back four but if he's adamant about the back three he needs to stick with it.

 

Can’t say I’m a Hughes expert regarding his other clubs and what formations he’s used previously but it just seems so random to decide to change a formation that was tried and tested and got us the fifth best defensive record last season.
I think most people thought a bit more attacking threat from midfield (Pattison) and another striker to help Cook(??) was the minimum we needed.
Not a complete sea-change that we didn’t actually recruit for.

 

Spot on

 

Change the CEO would be great starting point. Rupp does nothing.

 

Its the same old excuses isn't it, give the team time to gel. 10 games becomes 15, 15 becomes 20. Then it's January and it's the same again and before you know it we've failed yet again.

We've all seen 4th tier football long enough to know that last season was the worst standard of 4th tier in years, possibly the worst in my 40 odd years of watching us. It's being shown by 3 of the 4 that went up are struggling already and will probably come back down. 6th place flattered us last season the amount of good performances was in single figures and we had a lot of good luck in a lot of games.

Let's not forget Hughes had 13/14/15 games when he came in to see what needed to be done. He has massively failed and his terrible tactics and coaching is there for everyone to see. Everywhere he's been fans have said the same but no we have to give it more time because some Bradford city fans don't understand football and think stability under a shit manager will work.

 

Its back to the drawing board as far as Hughes should be concerned

4-3-3 is the only way to go with this team

Lewis needs competition, he's gotten too comfortable in his role an he's dropping clangers every week. Bring in a young lad on loan from the prem to compete

Im not Hallidays biggest fan but there needs to be some stabilitiy in that back line, right now its a shit show

Platt an Stubbs can work, but id rather see a ball playing CB brought in to replace Platt

New lad looks okay. In time he'l come good im sure

In an ideal world, a midfield 3 of Mcdonald, Gillead an Pattison, with Pattison playing further forward. But Hughes wont drop Smallwood so...

Lastly, Get Smith playing closer to Cook. Pushing him onto the wing is plain fecking stupid. How would Wells have done if he had to play under the same tactics? he'd of been off to Swindon on loan by Jan

As for the bench, forget Osadebe, he's pony. Utilise Pointon. an bring in another bloody winger

 

Top clubs are ruthless which is why they stay at the top. He would be replaced as failure not an option. Clubs that allow poor managers time in the hope of improvement never win anything apart from failure and been an also ran. It seems City have got used to been a lower league also ran

 

Good post this.

We’re already 8 points from the Gills. Like last season when we were miles off Orient then it’s like one automatic spot has gone for us. Playing catch up doesn’t really work.

Yes, a team or 2 come with a run at the second half of the season to get into the play offs or fight for it but we shouldn’t have that mind set. We should be wanting to set the pace give ourselves some breathing room at the top of the table.!

We know how this league works and long gone the days that you can afford a poor start to the season.

 

A very sensible assessment.

 

But still, calling for a managers head after 4 league games and a cup win is ludicrous. Youve gone on record many a time saying you will 'judge after 10 games or so'........why the change of heart? No doubt if we had 12pts now you would be demanding calm and keep our feet on the ground

Its not just our fans - Bolton fans were calling for Evatts head the other year very early in.

 

I’ve stated we need to give the manager a bit more time and I stick by that.

He needs to have a serious think about Smallwood and the formation.

 

Ahhh ok.....

I agree on Smallwood - the way he gave up for that 2nd goal against Morecombe was disgusting. I dont see him getting dropped now but he should be close.

Formation - well I think Hughes needs to stick at it for a wee while yet and hope it clicks. Its a proven successful formation in this division but like anything you have to have the players to fit it. A week or so left in the window to address the weaknesses.

 

They are just awful to watch!!

 

It seems a lot of top class footballers struggle to make it when moving into management,Lampard,Gerrard and Rooney spring to mind all who have had limited success.Having not followed Hughes managerial career closely and given he was out of work for awhile before he turned up at Valley Parade does he still think he is doing us a favour by being here? because some of the recent team selections and formations seem just stubborn or delusional ,he cannot keep picking
Smallwood its there for all to see and we have not got the players to suit the formation he wants to play,I have not got the answers but i hope somebody at the club has because it needs to change and quickly.

,

 

The players must be as confused and fed up with Hughes and his tactics, as most of the fans. Listening to his post match interviews, I find the guy uninspiring. During games, whilst his counterparts are geeing their sides up, Hughes is, invariably, sitting impassively, with his arms folded. He just doesn't look interested.

Smallwood wouldn't have had a career at a higher level, turning out performances like he is with us. He certainly doesn't look happy being at City and, I'd guess, he's not alone in that respect.

It's a chore watching games and, on Saturday, that feeling looked like it extended to the players own thoughts, on the pitch. Of all the teams to get turned over by! It's obvious Adams had got his side fired up, I wonder what Hughes' monotone team talk was?

Unless Hughes can get a grip over the next three games, there seems little point in delaying the inevitable.