13 Mar 2018 10:38:07
Whether long or short term, the club need to look at someone with proven ability, hunger and energy to lift the dressing room. I entirely disagree with the posters (and bookies) thinking about Mark Hughes or any of the other Premier League old boys who have fallen behind the times and shown an inability to inspire a dressing room and organise a team to win games. See Allardyce at Everton, Pardew at West Brom, Moyes at West Ham, Hughes at Stoke.

Just to hammer it home on Hughes, if we look at the teams he's managed that were in difficult times, you have Fulham - rubbish, wins = 32%; QPR - shockingly awful and relegated, wins = 23.5%; Stoke, couldn't stop the steady decline, wins = 35.5%. There is no evidence of him inspiring the fight and bite you all seem to think. Just because he used to be a feisty player, that doesn't mean he can inspire a dressing room, organise a team and make crucial in-game tactical changes to turn a game.

We need someone who has demonstrated the ability to both organise and inspire. Someone with tactical nous and the courage to make key changes. This is crucial. You often find a manager with a track record of winning and success will be able to marry ability with courage correctly and to the benefit of the team, whereas a manager who has struggled for a time is more likely to be hesitant from fear or risk too much in desperation.

1.) 13 Mar 2018
13 Mar 2018 11:23:17
I remember bringing in Nigel Pearson to save us quite a few years ago, he did it. Not saying him now but he brought Jaïdi in and his power and strength frightened the opposition not sure we have anybody in the squad with those qualities. Still think Gordon Strachan would be worth the risk to motivate the squad. He did a great job when he was here before. Just can’t see Hughes being the answer look what happened at Stoke, I do like him though. Just don’t get why we have left it till now to employ somebody new giving them very limited time to be effective.

2.) 13 Mar 2018
13 Mar 2018 16:34:45
Definitely not Mark hughes, never really achieved anything as a manager. Hopefully not one of the managers that regularly get recycled around the Premiership .
just maybe the board don't want egg on their face 9again! ) and might up their sights .

3.) 13 Mar 2018
13 Mar 2018 18:30:15
Hi it’s bronnie again. Mark Hughes was never going to be a top world club manager but went about his job with respect from his players. I agree with south hants rich on that point. I personally feel that if he was got in before the F. A. Cup quarterfinals he would improve the players that we have . Not only in confidence but getting them to play at the ability that they possess. Attacking play would be more encouraged. Hopefully back to a 4-4-2 formation. It’s better to go down fighting than playing the abject football that has been on display. we have the squad that under proper management and coaching should be in the top 10 at least. As I have said stay with the players out on the field and make the noise enough to lift the rafters. COYR’s.

{Ed001's Note - respect from his players? They usually call him arrogant and aloof. Most of them complain that he keeps himself and the coaching staff completely separate, when the chips are down the team feels like two separate entities with no togetherness.}

4.) 13 Mar 2018
13 Mar 2018 18:42:52
figodasilva you couldn't have put it any better!

They guy is a proven FAILURE at this level!

The club saying they want PL experience, but there is nobody out there with PL experience who is actually any good! They've all been sacked this season for a reason. Why would they suddenly be any good at Southampton?

If they want PL experience, they'll have to buy someone out of their current contract, like Eddie Howe, or Brendan Rogers. Mancini has experience at PL level and has never really failed either.

I like the idea of Viera, he has PL experience, just not as a manager! Imagine if he came in and brought Henry with him.

5.) 13 Mar 2018
13 Mar 2018 20:23:31
Figo, totally agree about Hughes as mentioned on my post. I think he done ok at Fulham but I work with a stoke fan and he pretty much said a repeat of ed’s Comment and added that it was like a slow decline, as opposed to two steps forward and 3 back.

I would take Hughes over MP2 (or my nan), but I would take most of the other options, bar my nan than Hughes.

6.) 14 Mar 2018
14 Mar 2018 07:13:18
Total respect for your comment Ed001 but don’t be surprised that the coaching staff that he supposedly kept himself from actually come with him if when Saints take Mark Hughes on. As for respect then I am wrong to believe what Peter Crouch had said in the past. Still that’s so called professional footballers for you. In the the meantime whoever comes they and the squad need total support for the final 8 games. Buckle up your seatbelts it’s going to be one hell of a rollercoaster ride. Let’s hope we are smiling when the ride finishes. One last thing - if the unfortunate happens I will be still there for them if not in body but in spirit. Once a Saint always a Saint! COYR.

{Ed001's Note - what are you talking about? I never said anything about him keeping himself from the coaching staff, quite the opposite. He keeps the coaching staff separated from the playing staff, so you have two distinct groups within a club. Didi Hamann will tell you that when it all went tits up at Man City, Hughes came in to the changing room and made comments along the lines of 'we are all in this together' and all the players just looked at each other in disbelief. They never even travelled on the same coach to games. They never built up an altogetherness about the squad and staff, it was a case of them and us, so when things went wrong he was unable to inspire them as they didn't care about him, so had no interest in what he had to say.}

7.) 14 Mar 2018
14 Mar 2018 07:43:43
Sorry Ed001 but you’re comment was a bit confusing when you stated” most of them complain that he keeps himself and the coaching staff staff completely separated” Still as previously said that if Mark Hughes is taken on it will most probably be a contract till the end of the season and then a decision of a full time manager would be taken. Mark Bowen and Eddie Niedzwiecki to follow Hughes is strongly rumoured. All I can add is Mark Hughes ( or my grandad) is and will be a far better substitute manager for that inept Pellegrino who has succeeded in putting us on the precipice of relegation. Have a nice day. COYR’s.

{Ed001's Note - tell that to QPR and Stoke that he put in the same place despite large sums to spend.}

8.) 14 Mar 2018
14 Mar 2018 13:18:45
That’s why Saints are talking about a contact till the end of the season. Then if he has kept us up and shows his mettle then a longer contract will follow. Suits both parties - simples. Let’s see how it pans out. I’m mildly confident he will get the best out our players something that Pellegrino didn’t. COYR’s.

{Ed001's Note - oh yeah, because he has such a good record of doing so everywhere he has been. Apart from Wales, where everyone following him has done so much better, QPR, Man City, Stoke etc.}

9.) 14 Mar 2018
14 Mar 2018 14:23:51
QPR - Championship still. Stoke - going down, Man City - phenomenal Manager and players. At this moment in time we need a manager that knows this Premier League in depth. I’m hoping like everyone else that Sparky’s knowledge will drag us out of the mire. Also he is immediately available and hopefully bring a ray of sunshine . It’s going to be hard but I’m confident that Sparky will pull it off. If I’m wrong so be it. Pellegrino and our Board have a lot to answer for. I’ve a sneaky feeling that you are not a fan of Mark Hughes. I don’t know why but it’s just a feeling.

{Ed001's Note - QPR were in the Prem until they hired Hughes. Man City picked up immediately they got rid of him. I would understand if he is just a short term then get someone decent in for next season, but the guy is hopeless at developing youth prospects, so why on earth would he be any kind of answer to get a contract for the long term in the summer?}

10.) 14 Mar 2018
14 Mar 2018 15:38:11
Hi in reply to your statement “ where everyone following him (Mark Hughes) has done so much better QPR, Man City, Stoke etc., is the reason I wrote my last post. So again I ask that QPR still in the Championship and Stoke now on the point of being relegated is not exactly an example of someone doing better. Again Man City were definately spot on in getting their new manager in who is completely phenomenal. What youth prospects were at QPR and Stoke etc., that were stand out promising footballers. Here at Southampton we have one of the best academies and any new manager will be encouraged to look at them. Again I cannot hilite enough that a sheet term contract for the rest of the season is being offered. If Hughes proves to be successful then a possible new contract will be offered. The length of time hasn’t been discussed yet. If he is taken on board then everyone should get behind him and the players. How’s the time for all supporters to raise the roof and encourage our squad. 8 games to go and it’s not going to be easy. Be the 12th man. Have faith.