Dowie: Hughes needs time at QPR

Mark Hughes Mark Hughes

Former QPR player and manager Iain Dowie believes Mark Hughes deserves more time at the helm to give the players he has brought into the club a chance to gel.

Hughes, top, is widely believed to be fighting to hang onto his qpr job after Saturday’s 3-1 loss against Saints – the team he once played for – left Rangers four points adrift at the bottom of the Barclays Premier League table and still looking for a first victory 12 games in.

The results have been even more disappointing considering the influx of high-profile players to Loftus Road in the summer, including Park Ji-sung from Manchester United, Esteban Granero from Real Madrid and former Inter Milan goalkeeper Julio Cesar.

But Dowie, another former Saints striker, believes that is part of the problem.

“Mark’s a very experienced manager and he’ll understand that, when you don’t get results, you come under pressure. But with the sheer number of players that have come in, it takes time to gel.

“I felt they were outplayed on Saturday and that will be the big disappointment for Mark and his coaching staff. Southampton looked the more creative side, which will be a big concern.’’ Dowie, meanwhile, does not agree with criticism that QPR’s players are not giving their all to try to get the club out of trouble.

He said: “Sometimes when things aren’t going your way people throw up the line about players not trying. When you look at the likes of (Ryan) Nelsen and (Jamie) Mackie, I think they do have players who’ll demand effort. Mark’s sides have always been that way.’’ Hughes insisted after the match that QPR need stability and his position has been defended unequivocally in recent weeks by owner Tony Fernandes.

However, Fernandes did not mention Hughes in his Twitter comments after the game this time, instead apologising to the fans for the performance.

He said: “I feel gutted. I have put my heart and soul into this with my other shareholders. And done all we can to give support to players and all management. I can only apologise to the QPR fans. we keep fighting.

“Let me tell you Fans come first. Everyone including me let the fans down. Many of us need a hard look at themselves. QPR has amazing fans. They deserve better.’’

Full story in today's Daily Echo

Comments(13)

kent141 says...
9:52am Tue 20 Nov 12

Get the orange Buffoon out and get Dowie in..

SO50 Saint says...
9:58am Tue 20 Nov 12

Even with Dowie in I don't think we would drop as low as Pompey currently are i'm afraid Kent is that your only way of catching us by us bringing in an absolutely awful manager?

SFCOLDBOY says...
10:11am Tue 20 Nov 12

QPR are history.
We are SAINTS, we move on
Bring on Newcastle.
COYS.

Big Mac says...
10:15am Tue 20 Nov 12

kent141 wrote:
Get the orange Buffoon out and get Dowie in..
One problem with modern day technology is that it allows morons like this to think they can add valued contribution in some form or another.

Clearly not the case here.

devonsaint2 says...
10:32am Tue 20 Nov 12

kent141 wrote:
Get the orange Buffoon out and get Dowie in..
kent141 you must have such a low respect for yourself. You are either a you schoolboy or unemployed.

SaintMax says...
10:40am Tue 20 Nov 12

I feel for Mark Hughes, he was good for us and is not a bad manager. Think this ship is sinking though and beyond recovery.

CB FRY LIVES says...
11:50am Tue 20 Nov 12

IAN DOWIE and MARK HUGHES two blasts from the past of the glorious history of SOUTHAMPTON F.C.Both could play a bit but alas both have struggled in the realms of football managemen.
COYR. 3 POINTS ON SUNDAY and that would mean we are only 3 points behind Pardew's Newcastle.

scooter75 says...
12:16pm Tue 20 Nov 12

kent141 wrote:
Get the orange Buffoon out and get Dowie in..
Like it.

City Saint says...
12:51pm Tue 20 Nov 12

Give him the whole season, I say.

Onwards and Upwards says...
1:23pm Tue 20 Nov 12

Mark Hughes is doing a great job, along with Paul Lambert at Villa and Brian Mcdermott at Reading. Keep it up guys!

TheSaintsMan says...
2:27pm Tue 20 Nov 12

Mark Hughes should go, I do not trust him as a man or manager. They should get Harry.

If QPR can bring in a player with a reputation like Julio Cesar, they can get someone with a reputation like Pep Guardiola.

That said the way Julio is playing Pep will not even be a shadow of himself at Barcelona.

ShakeyWiffles says...
4:18pm Tue 20 Nov 12

Why is this "Saints" news? Who cares?! I know I don't enough for a whole article. I can't believe I'm going to say this but get back to slagging off Saints, you know our team?

Tirau Dan says...
6:44pm Tue 20 Nov 12

As saints supporters.. It's none of our business.

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