Tony Pulis

[Mar]

I think the season Allardyce left we'd pretty much felt that an opportunity was missed in that January transfer window. We'd accrued a decent number of points early in the season and really wanted to push on an cement that position. The funds weren't there, either that or the decision was taken against providing them, but either way we'd turned from a side challenging for a Champions League spot to a side that was preparing to get rid of Anelka for the money (as had been the case all along) and just trying to keep our heads afloat in the Premiership.

We weren't a team threatened with relegation and we weren't a team going places. Allardyce knew it, the players knew it and i'd imagine the board knew it.

I wasn't disappointed with the style of play but I would've loved a flair player in there as well. Someone with a licence to try and be creative. Okocha had it, Djorkaeff had it, but we were missing that entertaining player to add balance to the mix. Free transfers weren't going to get that far anymore.



With regards to Pulis. His reign was similar to Allardyce's in terms of style and success, and similar to Coyle in where it all started going wrong (the FA Cup Semi Final was as good as it was going to get and they never progressed since).

[Bruce Rioja]

Talk of Mark Hughes currently leading the field for the Stoke job on t'wireless this morning.

[bobo the clown]

Talk of Mark Hughes currently leading the field for the Stoke job on t'wireless this morning.

The only successful period he had as a club manager was when he turned a struggling Blackburn side into a 'kick everything that moves' dogs of war outfit .... and had Santa Cruz on fire.

Not much of a different approach if Stoke went for that for their change ... except Santa Cruz.

[NP44]

They love Pulis around these parts.

[Bruce Rioja]

They love Pulis around these parts.

What about Nathan Blake? Did he pitch back up again down that way?

[NP44]

Finished his career at Newport County.

[malcd1]

This made me smile. I thought we were bad when we appointed Megson. Hughes hasn't even been offered the job yet.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22710396" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

He may be just hours away from being appointed as Tony Pulis's successor as Stoke City manager.

But one fan has already staged a protest against former Queens Park Rangers boss Mark Hughes being appointed at the Britannia Stadium.

A season ticket holder spent Tuesday driving around the Potteries in a van sporting a "Hughes out" banner, a sign that cost him £50 to make.

Hughes, 49, is expected to be unveiled as the Potters manager by the end of the week after Pulis's seven-year reign was ended by mutual consent earlier this month.

The Welshman, who has managed Blackburn Rovers, Manchester City and Fulham, also faced criticism from the Stoke Supporters Club on Wednesday.

The supporter Carl, who did not want to reveal his surname, believes Hughes's managerial record should not make him a candidate.

He said: "It is not just me, it is the thoughts of 90% of Stoke fans. Security made me move on from the Britannia so I drove around.

"I parked on motorway bridges and people were beeping their support at me and taking photos.

"He is not a long-term appointment, look at his track record, but it looks as though he is going to be appointed anyway."

[Prufrock]

For all the talk of entertainment over these pages... sacking Pulis and appointing HUGHES?! What is the fecking point?

[bobo the clown]

For all the talk of entertainment over these pages... sacking Pulis and appointing HUGHES?! What is the fecking point?

Absolutely. At least Huth doesn't need to fear for his next contract.

By heckers there'll be some clogging next year.

... and I love the protest van !!

As ever, if he gets some results all will be forgiven. Woe betide him if he's starts poorly though.

[ChrisC]

Now official. Hughes is in

[Zulus Thousand of em]

Woe betide him if he's starts poorly though.

Which he will!

[tripod]

Can't believe Hughes has got another job in the Premiership after QPR

[a1]

harry redknapp relegated qpr , mark hughes kept them up.

[bwfcdan94]

Can't believe Hughes has got another job in the Premiership after QPR and Fulham

[Worthy4England]

Can't believe Hughes has got another job in the Premiership after QPR and Fulham

8th place at Fulham, Europa League, 1 point off their best ever Prem finish. Hardly a huge flop.

[plymouth wanderer]

Did a cracking job at blackburn and Wales aswell

[ChrisC]

Done a cracking job at blackburn and Wales aswell

Seems to do well when he doesn't have to build a team with loads of dosh.