Mark Hughes can see no reason why Manchester City should not force their way into the top six next season.
City ended an inconsistent campaign with good news on and off the pitch on Sunday, adding a 1-0 win against Bolton at Eastlands to a record shirt sponsorship deal with Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airlines.
"There is no reason why we should not hit the ground running next season," Hughes said. "I would be disappointed if that was not the case because everyone knows what I am about now. The whole process of change has taken longer than I anticipated but I believe challenging for a top-six place is a realistic target."
In a match that marked the return of Mark Clattenburg to the top-flight refereeing panel after an eight-month suspension for off-field matters, Felipe Caicedo took only eight minutes to score the winner, finishing off a neat bit of improvisation from player-of-the-year Stephen Ireland, whose astute pass was steered into the South American's path by Micah Richards.
After that it was the Shaun Wright-Phillips show, which was good going considering Hughes ruled him out on Friday with a knee injury.
"That was my fault," admitted the City chief rather sheepishly.
"He was on his way down to London at the time and the advice was his knee would need a wash-out.
"Instead, the medics said he should play and see how it stood up."
Hughes will now embark on a short busman's holiday in Abu Dhabi before putting his plans in place for next season.
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I agree with you number 5. What changes? The ones that brought us to a season's end one place lower than last season. Despite bringing a world-class player into the squad?
I think Hughes studies back catalogues of manager's interviews, notes down the comments that impress him and then throws them back at reporters even when they have no relevance to the moment in question.
I have nothing against him personally and accept that he really does believe he wants what is best for the club. But he does not even inspire me, much less the players he manages.
City will win nothing with this man in charge.
Based on away performances we finished fourth from bottom, below relegated Newcastle!
Albeit at home we finished 3rd from top, just below Liverpool!
These stats are available to Hughes also so when the enormous gulf between home and away results became apparent why could he not orchestrate a change during the latter part of the season?
I will tell you why. He cannot motivate, nor inspire the team. It is the fantastic home fans which motivate the team to home wins, not the manager. It is Hughes' job largely to single-handedly motivate the players when away from home - and he obviously can't.
The fans are the difference, Hughes is the void!
"The whole process of change has taken longer than I anticipated"
WHAT PROCESS OF CHANGE?
What are you all about Hughes?
The inability to win away from home?
The lack of defensive tactics when being attacked down the wing?
The lack of tactics when attacking other than "give the ball to robbie"?
Within living memory it took our delightful red neighbours 26 years (1967-1993) to win the league despite being the richest club in the land for that entire period, so while I would expect their humble and loveable cockney fans to enjoy our current - very average - performance and league position, they should enjoy their superiority while it lasts - as once Taggart retires and our unlimited funds start to pay off, the situation may turn round within just a few years.
Of course City being City, we'll probably be relegated next season......
CTID.
Come on Barcelona give them a lesson in humility and football!
Pat Blue till I die.
to get a top six finish,first sack hughes john
hahahahaha - more oil-fed barmy overoptimism. Seem to remember this one from somewhere .....
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