With a wage bill in the bottom 4 of the division, I'd question that

Hughton looked at our squad and clearly concluded we couldn't take a particularly positive approach and expect to survive - that crab ball and grinding it out was the only way to do it instead.

Then this season, under mounting pressure from board and fans, he fell between 2 stools: didn't have the strength of personality to insist his way was right. So we lost structure and consistency in performance as a result.

That makes him culpable, but the board more so. The board who started to make public comments putting him under pressure, but failed to either invest in the new players were desperately needed, or put him out of his misery until we were practically beyond saving.

In the end though, Hughton's not daft. His perspective on our quality - clearly massively influenced by losing 5-0 at Fulham in his first game in charge - was probably a lot more right than wrong.

Posted By: thebigfeller on April 27th 2014 at 01:23:38

Message Thread

I really don't get it (NCFC) - SeattleSounders, Apr 27, 01:00:58
- maybe because the board have been brilliant since League 1 (NCFC) - usacanary, Apr 27, 01:51:33
- All went downhill when McNally said that stupid "Relegation would be worse than death" (NCFC) - thirsty work, Apr 27, 01:28:05
  - Agreed, but yet the board "haven't been questioned"? (n/m) (NCFC) - lurd, Apr 27, 01:29:43
    - It just seems like others get tremendously more blame (NCFC) - SeattleSounders, Apr 27, 01:35:33
      - I don't know what it's like in the Seattle supporters club mate (NCFC) - lurd, Apr 27, 01:43:04
        
        Sorry, don't understand your comment (n/m) (NCFC) - SeattleSounders, Apr 27, 01:45:11
        
        He mesan (n/m) (NCFC) - thebigfeller, Apr 27, 01:45:45
        
        ? (n/m) (NCFC) - SeattleSounders, Apr 27, 01:47:13
        
        He means: "You're overseas. You're not allowed to comment on things he's seen IN THE FLESH (NCFC) - thebigfeller, Apr 27, 01:46:53
        
        But there has been a lot of criticisms toward the board. (NCFC) - lurd, Apr 27, 01:52:30
        
        Good response. :) (n/m) (NCFC) - thebigfeller, Apr 27, 01:54:54
        
        I see. But this whole thread sort of makes my point. (NCFC) - SeattleSounders, Apr 27, 01:50:45
        
        It's Lurd getting all precious about seeing games in the flesh... (n/m) (NCFC) - phrankin, Apr 27, 01:49:19
    - We've questioned the national press - when they questioned DM's behaviour - far, far more (n/m) (NCFC) - thebigfeller, Apr 27, 01:31:57
- I think the last few games have shown (NCFC) - Mecagoenti, Apr 27, 01:10:23
  - Sorry but thats a ridiculous statement. We have been playing attractive footy under Adams (NCFC) - John in Texas, Apr 27, 04:37:19
  - YOu are judging the new man after results at home to Liverpool (NCFC) - phrankin, Apr 27, 01:19:14
  - I broadly agree. But I also think they've strongly suggested: (NCFC) - thebigfeller, Apr 27, 01:13:11
    - Quality has very little to (n/m) (NCFC) - lurd, Apr 27, 01:17:29
      - Do* with our failings. (NCFC) - lurd, Apr 27, 01:18:34
        
        With a wage bill in the bottom 4 of the division, I'd question that (NCFC) - thebigfeller, Apr 27, 01:23:38
        
        Let's not forget though that... (NCFC) - DJ Ginga, Apr 27, 11:30:20
        
        That is one of the truest posts I have ever read. (n/m) (NCFC) - bobble, Apr 27, 06:29:17
        
        I would be very shocked of (n/m) (NCFC) - lurd, Apr 27, 01:30:11
        
        Argh I can't type on my phone (NCFC) - lurd, Apr 27, 01:31:52
        
        I think we must be. Only Palace, Hull and (maybe) Cardiff below us (n/m) (NCFC) - thebigfeller, Apr 27, 01:39:40
        
        Our tactic going forward was give the ball to Snod and pray (n/m) (NCFC) - phrankin, Apr 27, 01:25:45
        
        I think we had tactics under Hughton (NCFC) - Mecagoenti, Apr 27, 01:21:39
        
        Who adopted "attacking tactics" away from home? It was Hughton! (n/m) (NCFC) - roedtonowhere, Apr 27, 01:25:31
        
        well yes, which looks like a mistake (NCFC) - Mecagoenti, Apr 27, 01:31:31
        
        Hughton's defensive away tactics have led us to be the worst team away from home. (NCFC) - roedtonowhere, Apr 27, 01:36:22
        
        i don't agree with that (NCFC) - Mecagoenti, Apr 27, 01:39:46
        
        Couldn't score goals. The strikers Chris bought didn't deliver and that's cost us. (n/m) (NCFC) - roedtonowhere, Apr 27, 01:44:19
        
        yes, that's certainly one of the major problems (NCFC) - Mecagoenti, Apr 27, 01:49:06
        
        Can't agree about Holt. He was finished by Hughton (NCFC) - roedtonowhere, Apr 27, 01:53:56
        
        well, why has Holt been hopeless for Wigan and Villa this season? (NCFC) - Mecagoenti, Apr 27, 01:56:58
        
        Motivation. He's left the club he was adored at. All downhill from there really (NCFC) - roedtonowhere, Apr 27, 02:00:58
        
        We got rid at the right time anyway. He was getting old and had lost his mojo here. (NCFC) - phrankin, Apr 27, 02:02:39
        
        He could see this all coming a mile away. Playing under Hughton must be joyless experience (n/m) (NCFC) - roedtonowhere, Apr 27, 02:05:49
        
        he handed in a transfer request before Hughton was even appointed (NCFC) - Mecagoenti, Apr 27, 02:07:21
        
        BS... Holt got 8 goals last season... it is hardly his fault (NCFC) - phrankin, Apr 27, 01:51:20
        
        We didn't win though. (NCFC) - lurd, Apr 27, 01:41:35
        
        26 goals, what on earth was Hughton doing in training.... (NCFC) - phrankin, Apr 27, 01:38:34
        
        Hughton didn't even know his best XI 3/4 through the season (n/m) (NCFC) - phrankin, Apr 27, 01:33:45
        
        I'm not sure the idea of a first XI exists for a club like us (NCFC) - Mecagoenti, Apr 27, 01:35:12
        
        bizarre because that's not what happened during the 1 win in 18 last season (NCFC) - phrankin, Apr 27, 01:36:42
        
        Boom! This, I'm afraid, is spot on (NCFC) - thebigfeller, Apr 27, 01:25:23
        
        The players had become tired and the coaching staff complacent (NCFC) - lurd, Apr 27, 01:27:52
        
        The players have a new voice now. Yet we're actually getting worse (NCFC) - thebigfeller, Apr 27, 01:30:28
        
        Sadly there is neither the time or correct fixtures for the new man to do anything (NCFC) - phrankin, Apr 27, 01:32:32
        
        He's actually had them playing well in 2 halves of 2 games (NCFC) - thebigfeller, Apr 27, 01:35:54
        
        I think we were clueless in the final third under Hughton (NCFC) - phrankin, Apr 27, 01:23:26
        
        Notice you fail (n/m) (NCFC) - lurd, Apr 27, 01:23:12
        
        Ffs (NCFC) - lurd, Apr 27, 01:24:08
        
        Nobody on here knows what went on in the dressing room (NCFC) - Mickdundee, Apr 27, 10:14:41
        
        Not really sure what you mean by motivation (NCFC) - Mecagoenti, Apr 27, 01:28:21
        
        tbh we have looked complacent all season. Like a bunch of prima donnas who have made it (NCFC) - phrankin, Apr 27, 01:30:37
        
        well, that's your interpretation (NCFC) - Mecagoenti, Apr 27, 01:34:03
        
        We haven't missed many key chances, we've barely had any. (NCFC) - lurd, Apr 27, 01:39:20
        
        I don't think we have created the least chances (NCFC) - Mecagoenti, Apr 27, 01:44:36
        
        Of course it is! (NCFC) - lurd, Apr 27, 01:50:38
        
        And how do you work on your defence? (NCFC) - DJ Ginga, Apr 27, 11:37:25
        
        I think it's a lazy argument to say the manager is responsible for strikers missing chance (NCFC) - Mecagoenti, Apr 27, 01:54:46
        
        I agree about 60% or so. The other 40% says that in happy, confident sides, the goals come (NCFC) - thebigfeller, Apr 27, 01:57:19
        
        I think it's a lot about momentum and runs of form as well (NCFC) - Mecagoenti, Apr 27, 01:59:55
        
        Just a question.. (NCFC) - lurd, Apr 27, 02:03:23
        
        of course - he has to take a fair share of the responsibility (NCFC) - Mecagoenti, Apr 27, 02:06:37
        
        Fair enough, agree he has us looking ok at home. (NCFC) - lurd, Apr 27, 02:11:23
        
        Had* (n/m) (NCFC) - lurd, Apr 27, 02:13:08
        
        That 11th place finish really papered over the cracks of a terrible 2013 for the club (n/m) (NCFC) - phrankin, Apr 27, 02:10:41
        
        also - a particular bugbear of mine (NCFC) - Mecagoenti, Apr 27, 02:09:41
        
        You know what I think, I thought he did ok here - far too focussed on defense (NCFC) - phrankin, Apr 27, 02:13:06
        
        haha! I wouldn't believe it even if he claims he does! (n/m) (NCFC) - phrankin, Apr 27, 02:05:47
        
        He dropped Hooper for his mistake against Cardiff (n/m) (NCFC) - phrankin, Apr 27, 01:56:40
        
        How do you know that? (n/m) (NCFC) - Mecagoenti, Apr 27, 01:57:39
        
        It is pretty clear as day... given defensive mistakes are all Hughton ever goes on about (n/m) (NCFC) - phrankin, Apr 27, 01:59:01
        
        Yes, as he signed these players. Although I would add (NCFC) - phrankin, Apr 27, 01:47:03
        
        we've been rubbish all season... as as Hughton showed last season (NCFC) - phrankin, Apr 27, 01:35:07
    - I think we massively over-achieved in both of the previous two seasons (NCFC) - Mecagoenti, Apr 27, 01:17:05
      - We needed a motivator, Hughton was too relaxed. Lambert was a disciplinarian (NCFC) - roedtonowhere, Apr 27, 01:22:20
        
        I think it's a bit simplistic to see it like that (NCFC) - Mecagoenti, Apr 27, 01:25:27
        
        I'm not talking about Villa. At Norwich he had players running through brick walls. (NCFC) - roedtonowhere, Apr 27, 01:27:54
        
        you don't know that there would have been a 2nd season syndrome under Lambert (n/m) (NCFC) - phrankin, Apr 27, 01:26:36
      - Our players, on paper are much better than Palace's (NCFC) - lurd, Apr 27, 01:21:30
        
        Palace's players aren't good enough either. What's going on there is freakish (NCFC) - thebigfeller, Apr 27, 01:27:28
        
        Ok compare us to Hull. (NCFC) - lurd, Apr 27, 01:33:38
        
        Well - frankly, yes. It's their greatest season since I don't know when (NCFC) - thebigfeller, Apr 27, 01:41:05
        
        I think it's difficult to compare with a team in their first season up (NCFC) - Mecagoenti, Apr 27, 01:37:55
        
        Is there anyone we are allowed to be compared to? (NCFC) - lurd, Apr 27, 01:44:40
        
        you can compare us to anyone you like (NCFC) - Mecagoenti, Apr 27, 01:46:57
        
        Agree. That's exactly it. (n/m) (NCFC) - thebigfeller, Apr 27, 01:41:54
        
        Well... palace had no bloody momentum... ffs (n/m) (NCFC) - phrankin, Apr 27, 01:39:31
        
        How about Cardiff who blew their massive budget on average players (NCFC) - phrankin, Apr 27, 01:36:08
      - pffftt look at the shite in squads like Hull, Cardiff, and Palace (NCFC) - phrankin, Apr 27, 01:21:02
        
        No, it shouldn't. That's all part of the delusion I'm referring to (NCFC) - thebigfeller, Apr 27, 01:38:42
        
        The 11th was a false finish... about 7 teams all within 4 points of each other (NCFC) - phrankin, Apr 27, 01:42:03
        
        No it wasn't the league is over 38 games not 36 (NCFC) - Mickdundee, Apr 27, 10:07:38
        
        it masked the fact we were not safe until the penultimate game (NCFC) - phrankin, Apr 27, 10:36:29
  - He's hardly had a chance to prove himself though. (NCFC) - lurd, Apr 27, 01:12:17
- People do and have questioned the board. (NCFC) - lurd, Apr 27, 01:09:05
- They always get off lightly with us. It's because we see them as just like us I think (NCFC) - thebigfeller, Apr 27, 01:06:18

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