Given that Hughes' ability to attract top Premier League or continental players has probably never been higher, isn't it time for the Board/Trust to trust MH's judgment & really back him up in the January transfer window? If we don't break in to the top 4 at the end of the season, any loss of outlay could be comfortably mitigated in selling on any player/s (either from within the existing squad or from any new recruits) MH deems surplus to requirements in the summer. Any sales would still probably be conducted at an overall profit compared to any outlay made in January. This hardly makes any outlay MH might feel we need to push us towards a final top 4 finish much of a gamble - in the financial sense at least. I'm not advocating the club spending just for the sake of spending, but if there are more expensive targets out there that MH feels will push us on, he should be given the funds. There is a sense of stasis coming from the board, probably linked to it being distracted by its wooing of any consortium that cocks it hat towards it. If we just fail at the end of the season, one or two players might start to feel restless, particularly if they sense a lack of ambition from the board. They (or probably their agents) might start to agitate for a move in any case, possibly forcing the club's hand from a position of weakness. If they see Hughes being handed the resources he deserves however, this would be a less likely scenario.

Agreed. Great choice; great manager; wouldn't swap him even for Martin O'Neil. Just to put some context in to the debate however, big mistake to enter the UEFA Cup at all (see Pompey result - look at Bolton's situation). Probably entering the whole tin pot/losers cup (ratio of 10 useless games for 1 worthwhile one) was a sop to MH's ego. If that's what keeps him happy however, then UEFA Cup 2008 here we come!