Hughes wants time

Chris Bailey in Santander

December 18, 2008

MARK Hughes today praised the “fantastic” support he has had from the board and spoke of his dismay that Premier League managers are not given more time before facing the axe.

Hughes saw his successor at Blackburn, Paul Ince, fired this week but doesn't fear a similar fate himself at City, who at present are only outside the relegation places on goal difference.

“I have had fantastic support. They know it is a case of little by little,” said the manager as he prepared to send his side out to face La Liga's Racing Santander tonight knowing a place in the last 32 of the UEFA Cup is guaranteed.

“We are not going to be an outstanding team overnight. What we need to do is add to the quality already in the squad. We need to be consistent on a regular basis. If we can do that we will have quality that will come to the fore. We all know where we are, we have new owners and aspirations to go with them but we are not there yet because it takes time.

“At the moment we are in a situation we would prefer not to be in, but we are calm about it. We know that when we play well, we are a match for anyone.

“We just need more consistency, if we do that our quality will come through and we'll get more points on the board in the second half of the season.”

The demands on Premier League managers for instant results was emphasised this week when Hughes' former team-mate Ince was sacked after less than half a season at Blackburn.

"A manager's job is difficult, we know that,” said Hughes. “We know the pressures we are under.

"We are expected to get results and when you can't do that then the pressure is on managers.

"Everyone understands that. You just have to be strong and comfortable in the knowledge is that your good work, given time, gets you results.”

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mr bump, badlands (18/12/2008 at 08:38)

where did it say 'plead' for time ? this is as bad as the mirror sometimes. it clearly says they are calm in the face of fifth column adversity.

bailsy, Tokyo (18/12/2008 at 08:40)

I want him to succeed but if we finish in the bottom half, and dont progress to the latter stages of either cup, he will be out.

George Kane, Stretford (18/12/2008 at 08:45)

Hughes will be a great manager.A calm measured approach is required.Well done the club for resisting a knee jerk reaction.

Aussie Alan, Melbourne Australia (18/12/2008 at 08:45)

Mark, you need to get results...we are four from bottom that is rubbish and you no it! we expect more from the team than this..sort it out quick as we are becoming a joke again

Bluemanc100, Exiled In Stafford (18/12/2008 at 08:50)

We just need more consistency, if we do that our quality will come through and we'll get more points on the board in the second half of the season.”

That goes for the positions you put players in too, consistent player choices and the consistency in terms of results would surely come with it,,,, am I missing something here??

I'm not a multi-million pound manager but its basics surely

blue sparks, stroud (18/12/2008 at 08:52)

Sorry Mark, you're just not good enough.

Benny and the Jets, Manchester City (Centre) (18/12/2008 at 09:06)

I was disappointed to get knocked out of the Carling Cup so early on, but being in the UEFA cup into the New Year more than makes up for it.

As for the league, the position we're in at the moment doesn't look good, but as ever we although we have had some ups (6-0 vs Pomp and 3-0 vs Arsenal) we have had more downs (don't need to mention these).

So overall a mixed feeling. I'd like to see who we get in January and I think we're better off keeping Hughes to take us forward. The thing is that we have good players now though and time is running out for chossing a formation that works and putting players in the right position. The good news is that the Board are keen to let everyone know what their feelings are.

We have to turn it around instantly from now on to charge up the table.

COME ON CITY!!

Chapman (18/12/2008 at 09:06)

You can watch the Racing Santander match on mcfctv.com for £1.99 at 7.45pm tonight.

Hadenoughblue, Manchester (18/12/2008 at 09:11)

Yeah whatever pack your bags sparky!!!
We need a much better manager than you and we need him now before the January window.
When are the board going to see sense and send you on gardening leave.

Ste , Cheshire (18/12/2008 at 09:19)

Its been a while since we played well!

bluedoom, somewhere in manchester (18/12/2008 at 09:20)

I just think if you're bottom of the league you should keep your mouth shut and work on getting the team out of the muck they're in.

OrigamiNinja, Inverness (18/12/2008 at 09:22)

Dear Mr Hughes

Nobody expected us to become a great team overnight but nor did we expect that we would go backwards under you. I was firmly for Sven getting the boot so I did not believe you had inherited a good team but you have added to that team with good players and also Stephen Ireland has come on leaps and bounds and is like a new £15 million signing so what is wrong? The players you have at your disposal should mean we are a mid table team at worse yet we are languishing down near the bottom of the table so something is obviously not right! For this the buck stops with you and if results do not improve sharpish I have a feeling you will be searching for a new job!

42andnotseenowtreally, Heaton Misery (18/12/2008 at 09:26)

I do believe that when managers come in that they believe that the Football Club is Founded only from that moment. Thing is Hughesless, seeing that I've been going since the age of 6 before you were born pal (as goes for a number of us), I'm actually running out of time methinks.

CBU (18/12/2008 at 09:30)

Agree!

Nick,The Man Sheikh Mansour logs on to read., caterham,Surrey,(Blackley Born & Bred) (18/12/2008 at 09:46)

Im sure he ll get plenty of time ,and very soon too....time to work out why he constantly selected Dunne and Vassell,when clearly would struggle to make the starting 11 of WBA.

TruBlue (18/12/2008 at 09:56)

To all City fans, we need stability and the new structure will give us that. They will succeed with our backing - supporters we are. Top names will come in time as will league success and trophies. My plea to all is to stay calm, support the manager and support our team in each game we play. Success will come, believe.

Juan Kerr, Manchester (18/12/2008 at 09:57)

It's a nicely balanced plea to be left to get on with it, but I can't help feeling that his days are numbered all the same.

Our new profile is that of a super-ambitious club with a super-rich board, super-players and a super-plan for world domination. With the best will in the world, a coach who has won nothing either domestically or internationally (as a manager, not a player!) does not fit the profile.

Shaun, At My Desk (18/12/2008 at 10:00)

Please,for pity's sake no more talking!Yesterday we had
the world according to Cook,and now we get the gospel according to Mark.
Enough,already!Start earning your fat salary and get some sodding points on the board.
Our league position is embarrassing,do something about it starting at West Brom,because as far as I'm concerned,anything less than
three points at WBA and I withdraw my support of you as MCFC manager.CTID

frank clarke's guitar tutor, warrington (18/12/2008 at 10:04)

We have won nothing in 31 years I have been watching City. Why- because we have appointed bad managers and the good managers who have been very few and far between have not been given enough time. Hughes in my opinion is one of the best. He is young, intelligent, hungry and determined to be a success. It will take at least 3 years to START to build a team and an awful lot of money. However, if Hughes is given the time and money by the board and the patience by the fans he will take City to success and ongoing and continued success at that.

Peter Doherty. As good as it gets., Levenshulme (18/12/2008 at 10:08)

Arsenal are after Chiellini, go get him Sparky!

BristolStevefromOldham, bristol (18/12/2008 at 10:10)

'we need more consistency' - the trouble is we have consistency - we always lose or draw. What we need is guts, fight, determination - and I am afraid there is little sign of it. There is some kind of unease, unrest, low morale in the team. It didn't result from losing - it is the cause of it. If you get three or four who are not putting out - then the ones who are (SWP, Stephen, Zaba, Garrido, Dunne, Vincent) begin to get quite angry and disillusioned. Stephens runs his legs off, turns round and sees people idle.

Pete,Collyhurst, City of Manchester (18/12/2008 at 10:13)

This was a good honest assessment of his own situation and where we are as a club just now, which is definitely NOT

Pete,Collyhurst, City of Manchester (18/12/2008 at 10:19)

This is an honest and enlightening assessment by Mark Hughes of his situation as Manager, as where we are as a club just now - which is NOT where we want to be.
He has shown great dignity throughout his so far short tenure with us. In the early days the press got straight onto him, saying he would walk away. He ignored them all and let it wash over his head. Now there is the media clamouring to stir things up because we are not where we want to be. Once again Mark is letting it pass over his head. He has assembled a good backroom staff and must be allowed time and endeavour to build us brick by brick into a force to be reckoned with. The Arab owners seem to fully understand and appreciate this. Now it's time for the Press and Media to get off his back and see our plans gell and develop. Good luck tonight in Santander to our Super Blues, but whatever happens we are already through to the knockout stages. Another feather in Mark Hughes cap. Well done.

czews, Manchester (18/12/2008 at 10:20)

Please tell my Mr Hughes, how much time do you need??!
When City are relagated to the Champinship??
is that enough time??!

Your comments about "it will not happen over night" and "Rome wasn't build in a day"!!!

So please tell me why you have a better squad than Eriksson, but Eriksson had better results than you??!
This time last year City were in top 6, but with you in charge we are in bottom 6.
Don't you feel that you might just be the wrong man for the job??
Face it!!- Dunne & Richards are not doing the job for you, but last season they were very good.
Mr. Hughes, if you have any integrity, you will resign NOW so we can get a Manager that will do the job.

But you wan't, will you??!
As there is no difference between a player that plays for money ONLY rather then the club.

Or is it coz we are the Blue side of Manchester.

GO NOW!!!!

tony 1finga, wythenshawe (18/12/2008 at 10:28)

the bookies have mark as the next manager to go in the sack race and they dont get it wrong too often, they had ince as favourite last week and he went, and i fear marks job isnt too safe either, despite his continued repetitive statements that he has "fantastic" support from the board, which is getting tedious mark, just get on with your job and get us some wins starting with tonight please mate, as winning breeds confidence, which is obvious what were lacking right now. Thanks for your time.

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