Mark Hughes deserves more credit than he is given

The arrival of Mark Hughes at Stoke City this summer was greeted with skepticism in some quarters, mainly owing to his spectacular failure at QPR. However, the Britannia Stadium outfit have quietly enjoyed a positive start to the new season, causing Hughes’s detractors to quieten down – for now.

After seven successful seasons under Tony Pulis, including Premier League promotion, consolidation and a FA Cup final appearance, chairman Peter Coates took the decision that a managerial change was necessary.

Despite years of incremental achievement under the Welshman, his playing style was much maligned with opposition supporters and some sections of the media labeling it as ‘long-ball’, direct and unattractive to watch. Some even went as far as to claim it was a throwback to the 1980’s.

For much of Pulis’s reign, Stoke fans were impervious to this external criticism on the proviso that the team were successful. However, following the FA Cup final appearance and subsequent European campaign, there appeared to be a feeling inside the club that Pulis had taken Stoke as far as he could.

Also, outside criticism of the team’s playing style had finally spread to the terraces following a poor run of results. Once the manager had lost the unanimous support of the crowd, a parting of ways seemed inevitable and the Welshman left the club by mutual consent on May 21st 2013.

The appointment of Mark Hughes as manager on May 30th 2013 was made speedily and with little fuss, indicating that he was the clear and unanimous choice of the Stoke City board. The intention was to introduce a new style, with more emphasis on passing the ball through midfield areas.

It’s fair to say though that Hughes, as a manager, divides opinion and his critics will be quick to point to a disastrous reign at Queens Park Rangers to support their claims. Mistakes were made and ‘Sparky’ was guilty of poor judgement in the transfer market. Tagged as a ‘Chequebook manager’ and a failure, the phrase ‘You’re only as good as your last job’ came to mind with many considering him lucky to get another chance so soon.

Hughes, though, deserves great credit for work done in previous managerial posts with Wales, Blackburn Rovers, Fulham and to a degree, Manchester City. He took Wales to Euro 2004 play-offs and five seasons with Blackburn and Fulham combined, produced an impressive four top 10 finishes in the Premier League.

Players such as Christopher Samba, David Bentley and Mousa Dembele were bought and later sold on for considerable profit. Even during a challenging period of mass revolution at City, Hughes was responsible for bringing the likes of Vincent Kompany & Pablo Zabaleta to the club.

With previous good work largely forgotten and with the stench of failure at Loftus Road still fresh in the nostrils, Hughes has a point to prove to some experts and perhaps to himself. Stoke City have made an encouraging start to the season, wins against Crystal Palace and West Ham United allied to an impressive performance at home versus Man City have earned seven points from a possible 12.

The Potters are level with City themselves, Manchester United & Chelsea and but for a late penalty save at Anfield on the opening day, would find themselves in the Champions League positions.

Additions were made to the squad over the summer but at limited expense, with Erik Pieters and Marko Arnautovic the most notable arrivals. The key work thus far though by Hughes and his trusted backroom staff, has been done out on the training pitch.

While elements of their old game remain, a new style with increased passing and movement is taking shape, built on the platform of a solid back line and goalkeeper. The evolution of their style and overall ethos is promising and has earned plaudits thus far. Albeit early in his reign, the gradual image transformation of Stoke City both on and off the pitch, could be Mark Hughes’s greatest managerial achievement to date.