So, it appears that the mind games have started.
Mark Hughes (taken from http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17964264)
"I hope that it won't have an impact on West Brom's performance. It is a great opportunity for Roy and I am really pleased for him," added Hughes. "He has paid his dues, had a fantastic managerial career and I am sure he will do exceptionally well.
"I was a little bit disappointed that it came out this week. I felt people could have possibly kept it under wraps until all the league games were out of the way and all the issues that needed to be concluded were finalised, but that hasn't been the case, it has come out early.
"I would like to think they will go and work exceptionally hard for their manager, who has done a fantastic job for them and I am sure they will."
So, OC needs to come out in his press conference and say "MH and QPR should be concentrating on their games, as we are concentrating on ours."
"Have I been BBM-ing Tony P, asking Stoke to give them a good thrashing? No, I haven't. (Hopefully he has). QPR are the favourites to stay up (Put the pressure on their game with Stoke). They have it in their own hands, and I would suggest Mark Hughes lines up his excuses for being relegated in private in future".
Unfortunately, OC doesn't play mindgames.
Anyway, thoughts on MH's desperate tactics?
Mind Games
posted on 5/5/12
Not really sure that it is mind games, to be honest. It just seems that Hughes was answering a question and honestly and truthfully as possible.
You are right though, Coyle won't do anything like that. I don't think he should in this instance. He should just concentrate on this game tomorrow without responding to Hughes directly.
I would actually prefer Coyle to say nothing, rather than bigging QPR and West Brom up like he probably has done/will do.
There are times when Coyle is too kind. I think he needs to be honest and ruthless in his pre match press conferences for these next 2 games at least.
posted on 5/5/12
Coyle will say:
"WBA are a quality team with an exceptional manager, there's no doubt about that"
"We will have to be at our best when the players cross that white line to get something from this game as Liverpool found out."
"We're not where we want to be and have a lot of injured and tired players but we will just have to deal with that as we have had to all season."
"It's a massive game for us and the fans, who are all fantastic and I want to bum them all, will give us a massive boost."
"Their are no easy games in the Barclays' Premier League and this is as tough as they come, but the lads will be giving there all to get us out of this situation where we don't want to be."
posted on 5/5/12
If you think about it though:
Who would West Brom rather play next season?
Us - loaded with debt and likely to invest only a few million (which is fair enough)
Or QPR and their billionaire owner, who can easily outpay and tap up their players, and players they would like to sign.
Garty should get on the phone to the chairmen of WBA and Stoke and point this out ASAP.
QPR staying up this season would be another metaphorical nail in the coffin of the Premier League.
The only good thing about them staying up would be Kieron Dyer coming back from injury only to fall over and break his leg on the first day of next season.