Hughes: We must kill off teams

November 07, 2009

CITY boss Mark Hughes has warned his team they must start sealing games once they get into winning positions.

The Blues are now on a run of five successive draws thanks to a 3-3 thriller against Burnley at Eastlands.

Although Hughes feels some represent a point gained, at Aston Villa for instance, others are definitely two dropped.

This afternoon's encounter definitely fell into the latter category after City had clawed their way back from two goals behind to lead 3-2 heading into the final stages - and it was a similar story a fortnight ago, when Fulham somehow managed to earn a point after finding themselves two adrift.

"It is frustrating and disappointing because we got ourselves into a winning position," complained Hughes.

"We have to learn to see games out because we have drawn two games at home from winning positions.

"Maybe it was a consequence of the effort we put in before that, because we worked exceptionally hard to get ourselves in front.

"But we did not do the right things at the right times.

"I would like to think we will get some credit for the way we came back but the late goal did take the edge off it.

"It is a poor result because we have come back from a situation most people probably thought was beyond us.

"We are 11 games into the season and we have done OK, no more, no less. There are times when we look what we are; a team coming together and trying to gel."

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Glyn Pardoe was my boyhood hero (07/11/2009 at 19:48)

you have till xmas at most if thing do not improve quickly.
you have had the luxury of an unlimited pot of cash.
you will only have yourself to blame if you lose this job
you have my good wishes to sort it out
BUT NOT FOR LONG

HAYMAN BACK IN BOLTON, WESTHOUGHTON (07/11/2009 at 19:50)

What did Fulham and Burnley have that we do not have ?

Howard (07/11/2009 at 19:55)

Drop Bridge, Lescott NOW!! Pull Ade and Barry off after 30 mins if they put in the same lack of effort as today.

Is It Me? (07/11/2009 at 20:05)

Sparky. We are talking about Burnley here,not United or Chelsea!

Santa Fe Blue, New York City (07/11/2009 at 20:05)

Well, Mr Hughes what are you actually doing about it?! Five draws on the trot, including blowing a 2-0 lead against Fulham at home. " Sealing games once you get in a winning position" is what every team is supposed to do in any league in any sport.

Straight to the point, Westhoughton (07/11/2009 at 20:07)

Hughes didn't seem to have his usual cocky "I WON'T GET SACKED NO MATTER HOW BAD WE ARE ATTITUDE" when interviewed on the BBC. I could see in his eyes that he knows he is not up to the job, something which has been glaringly obvious to a blind man on a galloping horse. Pay the man off and get the feelers out for a real top quality manager. There must be someone with tactical nous who can work with our current squad.

a dictata in superbia , Manchester (07/11/2009 at 20:09)

Put DeJong on then if you want to see the game out Hughesy. Its obvious we have all of a sudden started carrying players who are out of form (BARRY, BRIDGE etc..) A bit of tactical nous would be very useful at the moment.

john maddocks (07/11/2009 at 20:11)

sack hughes now clueless!

LadnerBlue, BC. Canada. (07/11/2009 at 20:19)

This team has no chance with this present mix of players, of becoming top class challenger. David Moyes paid 5 million for Lescott from Wolves and fitted him into his plans for Everton and he did well for them. We got this player for an obviously exaggerated amount of money and he just keeps failing on the pitch I think we made a poor choice for our needs. We are failing in defense a lot now - I think we made a big mistake getting "Lemon Lescott" for Dunne.

Coach, Oslo (07/11/2009 at 20:19)

Thanks for stating the obvious.. Headless, clueless. HUGHES OUT!!

Buryblue, Garstang (07/11/2009 at 20:21)

We're going backwards, the crowd today were singing to the referee " you don't know what you're doing ", it could just as easy been directed at the City management. Surprised he didn't see the need to bring on De Jong when 3-2 up but to then switch SWP over to the left when he was getting the better of Jordan, was unbelievable, especially as Petrov is an out and out left winger. I'm neither a clapper or foamer but if Hughes gets pushed out he'll have no one to blame but himself. Time to motivate the team you wanted and got or ship out.

I 8 UTD!, Hyde (07/11/2009 at 20:21)

I can’t stand the so called fans on here who are calling for the manager’s head!

They remind me of glory hunting fans (Rags).

You should remember where we we’ve come from and how far we’ve come in such a short space of time.

The glory days are just around the corner. Boo boys shut-up.

Sam Haggar-Mark Hughes is the Man (07/11/2009 at 20:24)

I cant beleve some fans are question hughes for the sack we are 6th in the table 2 points behind 4th place only 1 defeat what more do you want

M9Lad., ny. (07/11/2009 at 20:30)

I think we should definitely think about getting a defencive coach. I hear that a lot of the top teams have them now and as a result their defence actually play as if they know each other.
Another good Idea might be to try and string together 3 or more passes together without giving the ball away. You know, like football teams do.

Kim Kam (07/11/2009 at 20:35)

I honestley think I could do a better job than Mr Hughes, really, really, poor display today, time is running out for him big time. The only good thing about the result today is that he will have to explain to his bosses,what the frig is going on, and I would not like to be in his shoes.
I think he may be able to squeeze us a europa spot,if we are lucky, but I'm not to sure about that, top 4 is way beyond reach. If we can persuade rednapp, get him, I here Graham Turner from Hereford last season may be in-line.

Razor, cobourg canada (07/11/2009 at 20:36)

Top 4 Laugh, Top 6 a laugh. This team is simply not good enough and that is Hughes fault. He bought the players he wanted, he makes the team selections and he devises the formation they play.Fot me Hughes brains must have been in his feet when he bought Bridge, as he is more a winger than a full back, and Lescott is dreadful, and way overpriced. The defence of last year was as good as this.We need to give the likes of Onouha a run in the half back line.I dont know why they didn't bring on DeJong for the last 15 minutes to protect the lead.If I were Monsour I would be looking for another manager, since Hughes simply can't handle theseplayers and get the most out of them.The club is going backwards, since the first few games of the season.

glad to be blue, halifax (07/11/2009 at 20:38)

the only game which was a point gained was villa,who are our rivals the other are 8 points lost,how many on here predicted 12 points out of the four games,that is what it should have been given our squad and money spent,and what's more hughes knows it

inna city blue (07/11/2009 at 20:39)

just to make me feel happy, nited got nowt out of burnley we got a point

50 and mad for it (07/11/2009 at 20:42)

go go go go go go go go

ray class of '68 and before, Bristol Area (07/11/2009 at 20:50)

Put this on a previous thread....saw this coming didn't I?

Just a few important facts for you, Mark...... 1) We have NOT gained 5 points through recent draws....we have actually lost 10!! 2) We are NOT performing as well as last year at home, we have thrown away 4 points from the last two games where we were within minutes of winning both, plus conceded 5 goals to middle order competition.

Also, Mark, if I may be so bold as to offer some positive advice, the quickest way of stiffening back line required, please, by moving Lescott to left back, Kompany to centre back, and when fit, Nedhum to right back. (Just to clear up possible confusion, Bridge moved to right back to the training ground for recuperation)

However, unfortunately I know I will just have to put up with our beloved leader's alternative pearls of wisdom (a.k.a. excuses for management deficiency)

TTFN

Sven's Blue Army (07/11/2009 at 20:57)

I cannot believe that we have only taken 4pts from a possible 12pts against this type of opposition over the last 4 games. I was looking at 10pts at least, top 4, wot a load of rubbish!! At this rate we'll be lucky to make the top half of the premiership. Just watched the Wolves-Arsenal game, Oh My God, Mr Hughes show the bloody tape to this current crop of over paid prima-donnas. We deserve better!!!

Jim , Furness Vale (07/11/2009 at 21:00)

I don't really want to sound so negative about City because we are a much stronger team under Hughes than we have been for almost 30 years. However the recent displays have been very poor, both home and away. We may be in the top half of the league but we all know that we are still a long way off being Premiership contenders. A top four place is well within our grasp because the league is so poor this season.

We have a strong squad with a few battlers in it, but I cannot see any world class players in our squad ! We have a good group of Premiership players but no top stars. Bellamy is probably our best player at the moment, he has heart, and in front of goal he is always likely to score. Tevez is hard working and can compete in the Premiership but he isn't a prolific scorer, Adebayor is a decent striker when he wants to turn it on but he is often missing in games, Santa Cruz isn't match fit, Ireland is absent for long periods in matches and our defence is woeful at times, only saved by Given.

Barry's form has also dropped this season and even with De Jong we just look like a defensive side with a very negative outlook.

If some of the rumours this season are true and we buy Villa, Yaya Toure and a quality right back (Maicon) then the team will have a couple of world class stars. Whether Villa is up to the demands of the Premiership will have to be seen, but Torres has done a great job at Liverpool and he must have been a gamble for Benitez. Hughes has to sort out this team otherwise our owners will run out of patience with him and he'll be gone in January along with Robinho !

We can't keep dropping points at home to teams like Burnley, and have a couple of difficult games coming up that could shape our season against Liverpool away and Arsenal in the cup.

Auntie Mary's Canary, My Blue Heaven (07/11/2009 at 21:05)

The buck stops with you Mr Sparky!

It was dead easy to finish off Fulham and Burnley.... employ the right tactics, defend as a TEAM from front to back, and play as if you know how to kill teams off.

Unfortunately, the manager and his staff haven't schooled the players in those 3 very simple arts. Get it sorted Mr H, otherwise, after likely defeats vs Liverpool, then Arsenal's kids, and perhaps against a rejuventaed Hull, you may find that you have plenty of time off in December to sort out your Christmas shopping!

Simply not good enough!

Tameside Blue, Tameside (07/11/2009 at 21:30)

I've been right behind you Hughsie and will continue to support you but you don't need to 'Kill teams off' if you don't concede ridiculous goals like we have done in the season so far even when winning.

Our defense is nothing short of appalling

Lescott looked like he was starting to perform v Birmingham but back to usual today, same with Bridge

Gareth Barry should not get an automatic shirt just because he's in the England squad. Hasn't had a good game for over a month. Takes a ball, and passes to a team mate. I could do that. He's currently contributing nothing.

Too many are crossing the whote line and expecting a win without effort. Not acceptable

And I'm starting to see wht Arsenal fans turned on Adebayor. First 10-15 minutes today, excellent. Rest of the game, waste of a shirt.

Not good enough.

Chapman (07/11/2009 at 21:52)

Absolute master class in summing up Mr Hughes.

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