[Archived] Sparky - Not A Great Manager?

[thenodrog]

Even if the money is fairly readily available to you.

Lots of money no doubt but rem he had no time to spend it gumboots. I don't really think that he'd have gone for the two big money guys if he had had more time. They weren't carefully considered options, just publicity stunts.

January will be a very interesting time for observers of City and Hughes.

[dingles staying down 4ever]

Going back to Sparky, we know he is a good manager, it just goes to show it's not that easy to walk into a new club, change the personnel round, introduce a new style of play, and expect things to click instantly.

Some posters on this MB won't accept that. I mean they don't accept that for Ince so why should theyaccept it for anybody else?

[RibbleValleyRover]

Hughes being linked to a move for Warnock again. Sick and tired of Hughes or the City board trying to unsettle our players.

[Amo]

Or the journos creating stories?

[T4E]

Lots of money no doubt but rem he had no time to spend it gumboots. I don't really think that he'd have gone for the two big money guys if he had had more time. They weren't carefully considered options, just publicity stunts.

January will be a very interesting time for observers of City and Hughes.

This is a good point. I think he will get until the Summer atleast to get it right, but he will be expected to make some big signings and improve dramatically after Xmas.

I'd like to think we'll see him back at Rovers once it goes pear-shaped at City, but I'm not sure he'd be willing to drop down a level.

[DingleBaiter]

Hughes being linked to a move for Warnock again. Sick and tired of Hughes or the City board trying to unsettle our players.

I think we need to accept MH is far from the disciplined, morally strong & righteous individual he was perceived to be, or certainly preached at times - he's as shallow, greedy, devious and self-interested as he needs to be it seems.

It's not just Warnock, RSC, Samba etc. - he's effectively offered open invites to several other players (I know of at least 3) presently down there, none of the usual suspects or has been reported prior. Whether this is idle chat, or something more insidious or spiteful (perhaps to unsettle players) remains to be seen.

Then again, it could just be like any manager (football or otherwise), they often tell their old staff they will try to find them a job. However, it still works in his favour either way doesn't it? I'd expect that from some of the toerags knocking about the game, but I held Hughes in far higher esteem than resorting to dirty games like that,.

This is a good point. I think he will get until the Summer atleast to get it right, but he will be expected to make some big signings and improve dramatically after Xmas.

I'd like to think we'll see him back at Rovers once it goes pear-shaped at City, but I'm not sure he'd be willing to drop down a level.

I can't see Hughes coming back, if only because of the way he's acted since leaving the club. The 'lack of ambition' and other factors he felt Blackburn wouldn't do for him would still be apparent would they not?

I'd be surprised, and much as I admired his work when he was here, I'm not a fan of comebacks - unless it's James Brown (which would be impressive to say the least)

[dingles staying down 4ever]

I think we need to accept MH is far from the disciplined, morally strong & righteous individual he was perceived to be, or certainly preached at times - he's as shallow, greedy, devious and self-interested as he needs to be it seems.

It's not just Warnock, RSC, Samba etc. - he's effectively offered open invites to several other players (I know of at least 3) presently down there, none of the usual suspects or has been reported prior. Whether this is idle chat, or something more insidious or spiteful (perhaps to unsettle players) remains to be seen.

May i just remind you how Mr. Hughes unsettled a certain Mr Savage before he signed for Rovers.

No different to what he is doing now.

[Amo]

Damn that Mark Hughes for trying to sign players. The cheek of it! It's not like he did it for us, or Ince has either!

[DingleBaiter]

May i just remind you how Mr. Hughes unsettled a certain Mr Savage before he signed for Rovers.

No different to what he is doing now.

There's a difference in going for one player, through an agent I hasten to add, that one intends to buy. It's another thing altogether to tell two players - both having played in the same position for your old club - that he wants to sign them BOTH.

It was also slightly different as he seemed to target half the Welsh players, but they were all at different clubs, so it's not really a 'like for like' situation. Best similarity would be Redknapp/Pompey; he will likely return for Defoe, Crouch, and Diarra IMO - but that doesn't meant he will tap up eight of their squad (even by Harry's standards, that OTT)

Another thing also approaching a different player altogether to say the same thing to him whilst contradicting himself publicly by his actions back at his new club.

One or two players is understandable - we'd be naive to think he wouldn't be after them - or blinkered to think we haven't benefitted in a similar way previously, but not to this extent.

Let's not forget, he's not exactly stuck for cash these days is he - he was part of the gang putting the rest of football on alert they're targetting the best in the world. As much as we think of our players, I don't think they quite reach that category.

My issue isn't he's doing it - we'd expect him to (in moderation)- just seems jolly bad form to do it to extent he has (seven players still at the club as have been 'approached' as I'm aware of), and it smacks of ulterior motives, no?

Gives a bit of credence to the conspiracy theory about the board pushing him out/not backing him and it's his way of hitting back?

Then again, all fans are hypocritical (to some degree) - so why not managers? I just expected more from Mr Hughes, held him in extremely high regard, which in reflection was a mistake perhaps.

[Blue blood]

I really doubt Hughes will get many of our players as the board will want him to aim much higher. Having said that if they get a few injuries and are looking for cover for a position then we could well be in trouble.

Also - how many players would want to go there? Warnock - they can buy a world class left back (or certainly a better one than warnock, who i rate btw). How will it benefit his career being the reserve left back at a "big club"? Santa Cruz - will he get many games ahead of their brazillian strikers, and again, surely the board will aim higher. Samba - will he get many games when competing with Dunne, Richards, Ben Hiam (sp) and anyone else they buy. Much better for their careers they play regularly at rovers.

I think Hughes is a cracking manager but he's always been able to do things his way. Some managers can adapt to having less control from external influences but I doubt that'll be the case with Hughes, and unless they really buck their ideas up, he'll be gone in the summer. All in all, Hughes probably is where he can do least damage to blackburn rovers.

[thenodrog]

Also - how many players would want to go there? Warnock - they can buy a world class left back (or certainly a better one than warnock, who i rate btw).

Hughes will know that he cannot buy Warnocks attitude.

[dingles staying down 4ever]

There's a difference in going for one player, through an agent I hasten to add, that one intends to buy. It's another thing altogether to tell two players - both having played in the same position for your old club - that he wants to sign them BOTH.

It was also slightly different as he seemed to target half the Welsh players, but they were all at different clubs, so it's not really a 'like for like' situation. Best similarity would be Redknapp/Pompey; he will likely return for Defoe, Crouch, and Diarra IMO - but that doesn't meant he will tap up eight of their squad (even by Harry's standards, that OTT)

Another thing also approaching a different player altogether to say the same thing to him whilst contradicting himself publicly by his actions back at his new club.

One or two players is understandable - we'd be naive to think he wouldn't be after them - or blinkered to think we haven't benefitted in a similar way previously, but not to this extent.

Let's not forget, he's not exactly stuck for cash these days is he - he was part of the gang putting the rest of football on alert they're targetting the best in the world. As much as we think of our players, I don't think they quite reach that category.

My issue isn't he's doing it - we'd expect him to (in moderation)- just seems jolly bad form to do it to extent he has (seven players still at the club as have been 'approached' as I'm aware of), and it smacks of ulterior motives, no?

Gives a bit of credence to the conspiracy theory about the board pushing him out/not backing him and it's his way of hitting back?

Then again, all fans are hypocritical (to some degree) - so why not managers? I just expected more from Mr Hughes, held him in extremely high regard, which in reflection was a mistake perhaps.

My reply was not trying to be critical of your comments just that you should not be surprised. Hughes pursuit of Savage though was not just by an agent but he he said things in the press like what a good player he was and how Rovers needed a Savage type player at the time. It is just like the comments fe has come out with about roque.

I think what hughes has done in the past and is now doing though gives more credence to what his own Chief exec. has said about him wanting people who he knows and remaining in a comfort zone rather than trying somethng new.

[Majiball]

I'd like to think we'll see him back at Rovers once it goes pear-shaped at City, but I'm not sure he'd be willing to drop down a level.

Now now tempting fate and all that!

My issue isn't he's doing it - we'd expect him to (in moderation)- just seems jolly bad form to do it to extent he has (seven players still at the club as have been 'approached' as I'm aware of), and it smacks of ulterior motives, no?

Gives a bit of credence to the conspiracy theory about the board pushing him out/not backing him and it's his way of hitting back?

Then again, all fans are hypocritical (to some degree) - so why not managers? I just expected more from Mr Hughes, held him in extremely high regard, which in reflection was a mistake perhaps.

You would think given his time here that him and JW would have a strong positive relationship. It would seem to me however that Hughes is looking to take advantage of his inner knowledge of the club. Off course we have players who would not look out of place at a potential top 4 team. Hughes knows we will sell if the right offer comes in and I would not be surprised if he had knowledge of what amounts the board would be happy with.

The saving grace in this I hope will be Cook, I don't think he sees any of our players as being up-to scratch given his comfort zone statement. If I was JW I'd stitch Hughes up set-up and get him done for illegally approaching players.

[philipl]

Cook is no longer Chairman of Man City. He is still there but reports to ADUG's guy.

City are reported to be in for Diarra. That would be consistent with Hughes' dogged chases for players he likes. Diarra was a target when Hughes was at Rovers but Pompey had limitless pockets in those days.

[LeChuck]

City are reported to be in for Diarra. That would be consistent with Hughes' dogged chases for players he likes. Diarra was a target when Hughes was at Rovers but Pompey had limitless pockets in those days.

They're probably going to see a handsome return on that investment though, a point that seems to be lost on our current owners, especially when Hughes was in charge. I can understand being prudent with Ince until he proves himself in the transfer market.

[DingleBaiter]

Cook is no longer Chairman of Man City. He is still there but reports to ADUG's guy.

City are reported to be in for Diarra. That would be consistent with Hughes' dogged chases for players he likes. Diarra was a target when Hughes was at Rovers but Pompey had limitless pockets in those days.

Cook is still the same position he was at the club - Executive Chairman - when Dr Evil was Chairman, and the Chief Operating Officer he installed (Aldridge) is still there.

As for whoever was buying their players (Jo, ben Haim, Robinho, SWP), it's remains to be seen - maybe Hughes may get to pick one, him being the Manager and all.

Diarra must have hell of an agent, with all his moves in such a short space of time (Arsenal, Chelsea, Pompey) but I reckon he'll end up at Spurs meself.

It's a strange one though, having such a fruit loop as Cook on board, but I can't see him or his owners sanctioning buying any of our players unless Hughes really pushes them too - apart from possibly RSC. I guess it will be a measure of Hughes's influence there if he does, or if they will end up with a fantasy shopping list of 'superstars'?

WE know the players Hughes are after are good uns - but do the money-men? Do they fit into Cook's marketing plan to widen City's appeal into South America (why they may go for RSC) and Asia.

[dingles staying down 4ever]

http://www.people.co.uk/sport/football/tm_...-name_page.html

No surprise there then

[tony gale's mic]

http://www.people.co.uk/sport/football/tm_...-name_page.html

No surprise there then

Last night, ex-Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho, bright spark Darren Ferguson, and ex-Manchester United skipper and current Sunderland boss Roy Keane were names in the frame in City's corridors of power.

:lol: What an odd mix!

[thenodrog]

:lol: What an odd mix!

Last night, ex-Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho, bright spark Darren Ferguson, and ex-Manchester United skipper and current Sunderland boss Roy Keane were names in the frame in City's corridors of power.

I can understand Maureen being linked but Darren Ferguson! Roy Keane!!

[roverfanuk]

Would we have him back given the choice?

[Jan]

In a heartbeat.

[CrazyIvan]

Would we have him back given the choice?

Nope, never have him back. He showed no respect for us and still doesn't. Do you really think he'd come back and stay for another 5 years? Fat chance. If he did come back, he'd be off at the first offer.

[RevidgeBlue]

Correct.

[Jan]

He'd be coming back with his tail between his legs and have something to prove. Would I have that or the man who has no clue about positions, tactics, players, etc, etc? Hughes, without pausing the machete over Ince's.............. contract.

[Parsonblue]

As much as I admire Mark Hughes and what he did for us I doubt that a return would be remotely possible. Opinion about him is clearly divided and at the moment we need to be united. Unfortunately, just as opinion was split about Big Sam, when he was linked with the club, the supporters are equally divided with regard to Paul Ince. The present manager needs to be given a chance to win the fans over but if the worst came to the worst the club would need a figure that could bring the supporters together and, at this moment in time, that is not Mark Hughes.