MARK HUGHES survived a Stoke board meeting and insisted: ‘We are not at the point of no return’.
Hughes’ job is in danger after a poor run of results – and he faces a banana skin FA Cup tie at League Two Coventry tomorrow where a shock defeat could mean the axe.
But Hughes met Stoke’s owners yesterday at a scheduled January meeting – and got a stay of execution after setting out his blueprint for a relegation escape act.
Chairman Peter Coates and son and vice-chairman John Coates made it clear to Hughes they are alarmed that Stoke have dropped into the bottom three with the worst ever Premier League points return at this stage of the season.
But Hughes pointed out that after next weekend’s trip to Manchester United, the club have a group of potentially winnable games.
He has also drawn up a list of January transfer targets – with £3million-rated Fulham defender Ryan Fredericks on his wanted list.
Hughes is convinced that the owners want him to succeed – particularly with no obvious candidates to replace him.
Sparky said: “Absolutely. Why wouldn’t you want good people to be able to succeed like they have done in the past?
MARKED MAN Mark Hughes given Stoke reprieve after shocking run but could still face axe before end of January
“We’re in a position that we’re not comfortable with, individually and collectively. Is it redeemable? Yes.
“Are we past the point of no return? Absolutely not.
“Why would I seek assurances? I don’t need it.
“I’d be disappointed if the board weren’t up front and honest. That’s the type of people they are.
“We’re not naive. It’s a difficult situation but we can turn it round.
“There are a lot of clubs in and around us who are having seasons that they’re disappointed with as well. It’s up to us to make sure our disappointment isn’t as great as theirs at the end of the season.
“It was a good meeting, it was about everybody understanding where we are and what needs to be done.
“From my point of view it’s business as usual.”
Hughes says he was always convinced Stoke’s form would pick up in the new year.
He added: “It was anticipated this was the period we’d start to pick up results. It’s maybe taken an extra significance because people are looking at us and expecting us to fail for whatever reason.
“We’re not sticking our heads in the sand. None of us is happy.
“It’s up to us to do something about it. We’ve brought success here and the board know how we operate.
“They’re fully informed. They’re not absent owners.
“They’re not living overseas and just seeing it from afar, so it’s not the case that they’re not seeing how the club is internally in terms of atmosphere.
“They’re constantly here so they see frustration and disappointment – but they don’t see division or fractures in the club itself.
“I know exactly the strengths and weaknesses of the squad I’ve got. We’re not Manchester City. We can’t just go into the market and address clear issues in the squad. We have to try to prioritise.”
Hughes says there has been an air of negativity at the club since the start of the season.
He added: “We’ve never been involved in this situation while I’ve been here, but I’m not naive.
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“If you start to win again and get some good momentum then the positivity returns.
”There’s too much negativity in my view. It’s been in the background just waiting to come out and unfortunately last weekend we allowed it to come out.
“I think it was there at the beginning of the season, if I’m honest. If you’re a Stoke supporter, surely you don’t want us to fail.
“Clearly, people get anxious and disappointed and worried because remaining in the Premier League is important for the club and for the area.
“They should take comfort from the fact there’s good people working on the club’s behalf.”
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