Mark Hughes Choosing to Sub Banks vs Graham Alexander Subbing Both Smith and Chapman

I think the difference was Jon, that Hughes surrendered momentum to “hold on” for draw. Alexander tried to shore things up to keep a win.

 

I think that it was trying to ensure the job was done for a shorter period of time does make a difference. Also it was a double sub, but most of all, it worked.
I do appreciate your point.

 

The difference was that Barrow were going to launch the kitchen sink at us for 5 minutes. It was a completely different scenario. They had to equalise. It was do or die for them. They were going to commit far more bodies forward so leaving attacking players on was much more of a gamble.

The Carlisle scenario was different in that we were completely in the ascendency in a game where Carlisle would be more conservative as they had so much more to lose. Sitting back in that game killed us when we really didn't need to sit back. Tonight we literally had no choice. Attacking after going 2-1 up for the last 5 minutes would've been suicide.

 

At Carlisle we should have had the momentum to go for it after the equaliser. Instead Hughes bottled it for penalties which we never achieved anyway. He never recovered from that substitution. It was the single worst substitution I’ve ever seen in nearly 40 years of watching football.

 

Hindsight is a wonderful thing.
Tonight Alexander got it spot on.

 

Massive false equivalence to try and further an agenda that Hughes was unfairly judged for his abysmal decision.

Carlisle had everything to lose by going gung ho. Maybe they'd have preferred not to have penalties but it wasn't remotely close to the 'do or die' scenario that Barrow were dealing with. Losing 3-1 instead of 2-1 was no concern for them.

Carlisle were never going to approach the last 5 minutes like Barrow did tonight. Equally, we were in no way in any need of a 3rd goal. Leaving Banks on the pitch gave us a real chance of winning that game. He'd been a threat all through the second half and we had our tails up after his goal.

The two situations couldn't be more different. It was such a bad decision that Hughes had to make up that Banks was tired. He couldn't face the humiliation of admitting that it was tactical because he'd have opened himself up to the criticism of what a monumentally awful decision it was.

 

At least you can admit there was a difference. The other frustration was that Hughes had form for doing this. Often he'd sit back and 'defend' a one goal lead against really poor sides only to give away an equaliser. Saw enough of it this season to convince me he's the worst manager we've had since Peter Taylor.

 

I agree the goal was offside and Billy Clarke messed up…
But seriously different kettle or fish. Knock out games are a different breed-try to win at all cost at the end and don’t hamstring yourselves. But also play the opponent (which Hughes lacked) and I think is what GA did today-though keeping Smith on for the break would have made more sense.
Compared to last year Banks was arguably our best attacking player outside of one of the league’s top scorers who we also had

 

Sorry Jon but I couldnt disagree with your OP more! Last night GA shut up shop within injury time to protect a 2-1 lead in a must win game.
At Carlisle, having been battered, we restored parity and their lads were down and out. MH decided to shut up shop with the sole objective of getting to pens which would have given us no more than a 50% chance of going through! The worst substitution I've seen in 50 years watching.
I didnt want Hughes gone after that game but looking back, I'm convinced he mentally checked out of the club then, as he clearly resented the totally justified flak that came his way.

 

Had Barrow equalised last night, it would have been far from a "devastating failure". We were under the cosh for most of the second half, they were the better team and we rode our luck - just like we did at Walsall

I cannot forgive Hughes for the Banks sub when we were in the ascendency, and I cannot forgive the players for a mediocre display. One of the worst trips home, wondering what might have been. But that was last seasons disappointment. Let's see what Saturday brings and not dwell on previous bad memories. GA got it spot on last night

 

Regards the Hughes sub he took off our main attacking threat, which galvanized Carlisle to push up the pitch.
There were others, like Ridehalgh and Gilliead that day who weren't performing Hughes could have taken off to accommodate a CB.
GA shored up the defence that was under the cosh.
The equivalent last night would have been to take Platt off and put Richards at CB and telling Wright to attack.
The opposite to what was needed.

 

Spot on. GA did right last night. Once you know it’s going to be a midfield and forward battle to hold on to the lead, and you just know there will be over 5 mins of extra time you take off the two small guys who are unlikely to win ping pong in midfield and bring on bigger lads.

GA got it spot on.

Hughes got it wrong seeking the game petering out to penalties in the HOPE we would clinch it.

 

I think they’re pretty different to be honest.
Alexander made the positive change, a little later than I wanted admittedly, but got the job done.
The goal we scored was more against the run of play last night, whereas the Carlisle goal was with the momentum. Their defence was panicking and their crowd on edge.
The change that Hughes made just gave their team and fans an unexpected lift - I agree with the comment about it being the single worst substitution in my time of watching City.
That wasn’t the case last night.

All that said, it is obviously easier with hindsight

 

I actually thought our best chance of promotion last season was the auto’s, Once we blew that I did not fancy us in the playoffs. We didn’t have the right attitude and I think that was down to MH. That is why we blew the auto’s ultra cautious and settling for a draw.