By James Chamley
Football is a game of highs and lows. Unless you support Bradford City, then it’s a high, relentless lows and maybe another high a decade or two later.
The recent start to the season has been hectic. With emotions running high following the incredibly painful play off defeat, it’s no surprise that fans are on edge. But in times like these, it’s important to take a step back and let the dust settle.
The recent game against Morecambe was undoubtedly disappointing, both in terms of the result and the abject performance. That’s without taking into account it came at the hands of Derek Adams. Such performances and results have in the past spelled the end for managers (usually against Oldham) but I’d argue Mark Hughes has a bit more credit in the bank than his predecessors.
The team’s reaction to that dismal Morecambe game has at least been heartening. Two wins in challenging fixtures – firstly against a Crewe side who were unbeaten coming into the game, where a mountain of pressure was on our players and the managers shoulders. Then, despite concerning injuries, victory in another tricky cup tie on penalties away to the richest club in the division with a cup specialist manager.
Would those two results have happened had Hughes been sacked straight after the Morecambe game? I doubt it. Morecambe away was arguably the worst showing of Mark Hughes’s reign so far. However, a sign of a good manager and a sign that a manager hasn’t lost the dressing room, is how a squad of players react to such a damaging defeat and this group, for now, have done so.
It’s crucial, however, to not suddenly assume everything is back on track. A poor result against Mansfield could, and probably will, easily reignite the pressure. Questions about playing style, formation, and player selection continue to linger. The reality is that as long as we’re in this division, the pressure won’t relent due to the collective sentiment that we should be operating at a higher level.
This past week highlights the rollercoaster nature of football, especially at League Two level where players and managers alike are almost renowned for being inconsistent. For sure, there will be more stumbles along the way. Yet, it’s unreasonable to call for a manager’s head after every defeat. Do I agree with everything Mark Hughes says and does? Absolutely not. I’m personally sick of seeing us start games with five defenders for example. However, I can guarantee I won’t agree with everything our next manager does – and I’ve certainly not agreed with decisions from the lot who’ve come before him.
Disagreements with managers decisions are natural and part of being a football fan, but they shouldn’t translate into calls for immediate dismissal.
Some fans demanded Hughes’ sacking after the Morecambe game, just five games into the season. Had this knee-jerk reaction been followed, we might be currently facing even more uncertainty: manager-less, potentially out of the cup and looking in complete turmoil. Instead, we’re a win on Saturday away from three wins on the bounce, sitting on the edge of or even moving into the play off spots and into the third round of the cup for the first time in ten years.
Of course, the Mansfield game could quite easily go the other way and if it does, maybe the last week has taught us everything is not always as catastrophic as it may understandably feel at the time, especially for those who spend their hard earned money travelling to these away games.
I’m not suggesting we should be fearful to change managers, but I am of the belief our best chance of success this season is sticking with Hughes and seeing where that takes us.
Let’s remember, Hughes took over during a time of chaos for the club. His presence over the last 18 months has undeniably improved the atmosphere around the club. And although it may not be perfect, the overall performances on the field are better. I personally enjoyed going to games last season more than I had for a good few years.
A new manager is no guarantee of free flowing, title winning football and in my opinion, history suggests sacking Hughes right now would not only be premature so early into the season, but would also be counterproductive.
Supporting Hughes through his contract’s end is a probably our best course of action, even if it comes begrudgingly from some sections. Our ultimate goal is promotion, and giving him the chance to achieve it this season seems wise. If he fails, then a reassessment can occur. However, the knee-jerk reaction of sacking managers after every defeat or bad spell of form is a path to self-destruction.
So, let’s keep the faith, ride out the lows, and see where this rollercoaster takes us.
Categories: Opinion
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Yo well put James Chamley City til I die
Completely agree. Onwards and upwards we will go !
You can’t just let a contract run down or you are asking for disaster next summer. Either give Hughes a new deal or start looking for a new manager now.
Whilst I agree that sacking Mark would be ridiculous at this stage in the season I would expect and hope that Ryan and Stefan have a number of options available should we part company with the manager.
I believe Mark is out of contract in the summer which throws up a number of scenarios.
Should we go unbeaten for the rest of the season and win the league at a canter there’s every possibility Mark could be lured away by a club higher up in the football pyramid. Mark doesn’t suffer from the barrier most managers face at this level – he has worked with elite players and he has managed at the highest domestic levels. A stellar season could prove that catalyst.
Similarly it could easily go the other way. Another few performances like Morecambe and he will have to go. Every so often we talk about exactly what City’s level should be and whether we are a big club or not. I don’t care whether you’re City, Swindon, Sutton or Crewe that level of performance in a professional football side is simply unacceptable.
Which ever way the dice falls I hope there’s been some succession planning such that a new manager can be identified and recruited quickly and that it won’t necessitate a complete rebuild of the playing and backroom staff.
A more interesting third scenario would be if we keep muddling on, getting reasonable results like against Crewe, flirting with promotion but not really playing with any flair, pace or passion. Playing safe, not doing anything wrong – but not doing anything overly right either. Basically another season like last season. Would that be enough to offer Mark a new contract or would we be looking to part ways at the end of the season?
Mark has steadied the ship and the club has made progress on and off the field. Whether Mark is the one to take us to the next step is open to question. With his contract running down Stefan and Ryan have the opportunity to plan for the next 5 years based on evolution rather than, as in the past, revolution. The coming months will pay a big part in that I think.
There is also the issue of compensation if you sack a manager. How much money have we spent paying managers off? If, at the end of the season, we are still here, don’t renew and it costs us nothing.
Of course if things go really wrong then, the landscape changes, but for now let’s stick with it.
Mark was certainly up against it after the Morecombe game. His team, his formation and his tactics. However, Adams was the key here. I wish I was a fly on the changing room wall. My bet was Adams was in his team’s faces to get a result at all costs. Adams team have not done anything since.
The social media warriors have kept their counsel since the last 2 results. The result against Wrexham was some achievement. The odds were totally against City but they won the penalty shoot out comfortably and put in a strong performance.
I agree, it’s possible that a poor performance from city is just around the corner. We have to keep the faith and support him and his team. Getting rid is not the answer.
big mistake if thay sack sparky
Concur wholeheartedly, James.
For me if Mark Hughes doesn’t win promotion this season, or next season, or the one after that, it’s time for him to go.
If I was a betting man (which I am), I’d say he’s our best bet for a while of not only getting us out of this division, but of taking the club beyond that. He’ll find things easier at a higher level, I think we all agree.
The fact he’s objectively (based on league position) our best manager during this stint in League Two, is something to his enormous credit, especially given he hasn’t managed at this level before.
He’s currently tinkering with a new more ambitious system, early in the season. It’s got teething problems for all to see. Nothing wrong with that. That’s what managers do.
So keep the faith! The more backing Mark Hughes gets, the more likely he is to succeed.
I for one am still dreaming of a Mark Hughes-led Bradford City reaching heights not seen for many a year!
Very well said! Couldn’t agree more!
It’s worth remembering that in assessing Hughes’ performance and accomplishments at City we do not focus only on looking inwards regarding last season being the best of a very poor lot in recent years.
I would say based on a top five budget City accomplished the bare minimum in making the playoffs. However, I strongly feel that City should have gained automatic promotion. Hughes squandered promotion in a spectacular manner.
Tactics and very poor player management were his downfall. The core players available to Hughes were exceptional and yet poorly mismanaged. It’s a shame there was no mention of the Jake Young farce in this article.
If Hughes finishes the season at VP it will likely not be due to his accomplishments but rather stopping the revolving door re manager changes and improving stability.
Absolute rubbish!!!
Get behind the manager! He is better than anyone we have had and anyone we will get!!!
Agree Mark. Well written and sensible.
I think Berlin Bantam has a pretty good angle on Hughes. MH needs some freedom to dabble and the players need time to learn how to apply this.
I feel our biggest problem is a structural one, having no reserve – or under 23 – team to play games and learn how to put first team tactics into action. No disrespect to our excellent youth teams but the step up to the first team is huge and it’s going to be hard to consistently perform to the higher standard required. Reece S; Kian S; Finn CD, all showed promise and more games above youth level would surely have helped their development more.
An intermediate level team would also benefit players returning from Injuries and those on the fringe who warm the bench or look on from the stands.
Obviously this costs to run an under 23 team, and most other league 2 teams have it the same. So when MH is being slated for not understanding league 2 or not involving our youth enough, just bear in mind that he is still learning to find a balance with the lower league structure we have.
I’m sure it must be frustrating for him and the players struggling to slot in, without much game time under their belts.
BE PATIENT. Sometimes results won’t go our way, sometimes we’ll have disasters like Morecambe, but keep the faith that we are moving forward, albeit slowly. In MH I trust. Up the chickens 🐔
I will just say this to get this team going for promotion what I saw in pre season friendlies and build the team around the youngster below.
Bobby Pointon
1. One Of Our Own
2. Oven Ready
3. 120% Commitment
4. Intelligent Player
5. Beats Offside Trap Every Time
6. Sublime Passing
7. Creative
8. Inch Perfect Timing
9. Not Scared Of A Tackle
10. Brings Players Into The Game
Once he gets his chance the roof will come off, also it will make other players perform and not go AWOL out of embarrassment, with young kid putting in a right shift, and you will have Cook to pick up any loose balls.
Get Him On …………….
Wholeheartedly agree with your assessment. I also believe he has skill and a football brain better that the many players currently at the club. Perhaps, a Stuart McCall in the making.
Phil W / Woody / Annoying Canadian Crank… Ownership is bad, manager is bad, Jake Young is the second coming,
give it up mate.
Good article and a lot of relevant points. I started supporting City in 77-78 season. Promotion was immediately followed by relegation. Probably tells you all you need to know about City. I do believe we have underachieved for most of our history, mainly down to a lack of funds, constantly changing managers and basically, no medium or long term plan. The only plan we have right now is to get out of League 2. Suppose we do that, what next? Consolidate, go for another promotion or just see what happens? I have no idea, does anyone at the club?
Hughes has been under scrutiny since Day 1. He has done some good work and some that make you wonder. Thing is, I really want him to succeed. I want an end to short termism. Also, who would replace him? The only candidate who would succeed is a certain Steve Evans. He would probably deliver promotion but after that?
Suffolk Bantam touched on something that has concerned me for a few years. Not being in a league where players on the fringes or returning from injury or promising youngsters can get a game. I know it costs money, but smacks of short termism again.
Saying all that, we are in the same boat as many other perennial underachievers like Plymouth, Middlesboro, Preston to name 3.
Anyway, I hope things turn in our favour and we can finally move up and out of this division.
An excellent and well balanced position Paul. This comment also applies to the author of this article. Keep the faith. CTID
Great article, watching from overseas in Norway, its hard to gauge the mood, but I get over and watch City when I can.
A revolving door of managers is not the answer, the new manager gets stuck with the old managers players, then tries to bring in his players, then gets sacked, and the cycle continues and we go nowhere. Just a mish mash of players and a new manager that says they don’t fit his system.
Sparky has improved things, it takes time, going to VP before MH felt toxic at times, especially under Adams. The football is getting better. Booing the players at half time when they aren’t winning 3-0 every game doesn’t help them. Back your team!
Backing Hughes 100% continuity is the only thing we haven’t tried, and that’s what will get us out of league 2.
CTID
I’d say that the club should be planning succession for Hughes regardless.
It seems fair to say that whether he is successful in delivering promotion or not this year – the end of his three year contract will suit both parties.
Its a shame he doesn’t seem to be an overly popular choice with quite a lot of fans. I wonder who would be? Seems nobody we have employed over the last decade has brought universal appeal (you could probably interchange decade with century…)
I have to say that this season I am, personally, a lot less engaged with the club. But I don’t blame all of this on Hughes. Its partly the ‘here we go again in league 2’ sentiment, the way in which we stumbled towards the playoffs last season and inevitably failed in such a predictable manner, a lack of inspiring signings (or rather the jury is still out on signings until they have time to prove themselves), the Jake young situation is frustrating – another Eoin Doyle situation in the making, making us supporters think why oh why can’t we just unlock someones talent and get the best out of it like this, cooks start to the season (again many felt there was an air of inevitability about this), so I think really its the uninspiring, predictability of City at the moment. We’re not very good, we are decent on our day, we can be hard to beat when we set up well, we are persisting with a formation that so far has meant we are leaking goals more than we did last season.
Its tough for fans to see progress and we’re all a bit fed up I think. Natural after a season being beaten in the playoffs I suppose.
I just hope that this September to December period can produce a solid run of form, give us a few emotional wins to get the blood pumping, and a few of these new signings can really be taken to our hearts…..
CTID