Manchester City have propelled themselves onto the same pedestal as Europe's elite flexing their fianancial clout. But is there more to the Manchester City juggernaught than just brand new filthy fifties? Have you all watched on like jealous school girls as Hughes has unsettled his closest rivals, either in the transfer market or by using the art of rhetoric. Is Hughes stupid waging war of words with the likes of Sir Alex Ferguson? Or is this one piece of the giant jigsaw puzzle to ultimately unsettle the Premier League's big four while City stake their own pride of place at the peak of the Premier League?
Little by little
The PR machine at the Eastlands is in over drive, from the top to the bottom of the club, toilet cleaner to cash counter, an obsession is growing with the club's new direction and ideaology - “to become the darlings of world football.”
Hughes has targeted players in the transfer market who he knows can deliver in the Premier League week in, week out, but where did he have to find his new band of brothers? In the land of the big four...
Hughes has raided Manchester United for Carlos Tevez, Arsenal for Emmanuel Adebayor and Kolo Toure, and then spent the better part of two months refusing to back down in his bid for Mr Chelsea, John Terry. Hughes also swept in under the carpet to tempt Aston Villa's Gareth Barry from the clutches of Rafa Benitez' Liverpool.
If there was ever a bold manner in which to make your intentions known the last few months have shown City's ambitious intent. And to top it all off, the wiley Welshman is willing to go round for round with the master of mind games, Sir Alex. But again, in indulging Sir Alex, Hughes has allowed his squad's preparations to remain behind closed doors despite the high profile nature of his summer signings. Starting to sound like a well thought out plan?
Darling buds of May
Hughes has defended his spending and instead attempted to distract the media's eyes from the sheer vulgarity of the profit and loss figures at the Eastlands. However, Hughes has upped the anti and called out every Premier League manager. A pang of a WWE script springs to mind.
He said in response to a number of manager's criticism of his spending: "I was good at what I did and that was enough. That has been my way for 45 years so I don’t think I will suddenly become one for mind games. But other managers feel that their profile has to be raised and they have to do that. Maybe it is because they have not played at a certain level. I’m aware managers are saying things about us at the moment but I see that as trying to ease pressure on themselves - that is predictable"
This is the next piece of the puzzle for Sparky as he wants to create a siege mentaltity at City - it is them against the world. A large percentage of the most succesful sides in English football have adopted this approach on their roads to success, Hughes would have no doubt first experienced this under Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford.
Arsenal's invincible's felt victimised after the infamous Ruud Van Nistelrooy penalty miss but went on to win the league, Jose Mourinho took the attention away from the players and was willing to criticise and alienate the club in order to gain this unique bond between his squad and eventually win the league twice. It is simply one of the mose proven tactics to blend a squad quickly, and there is no doubt Hughes has cranked up the PR machine with only two weeks to go until the Premier League begins with this aim in mind.
The signings of players like Adebayor, Toure and Barry, all with points to prove and previous employers to prove wrong add to the argument. Roque Santa Cruz the same, oh and forget a certain reformed Red Devil, Carlos Tevez. Hughes even sanctioned a blatant PR pop at their Manchester rivals with the billboard saying - 'Welcome to Manchester.'
Clever thinker but can he tinker
There is no doubt from the pre-season that Mark Hughes feels this is his time to mix it with the Premier League's best, both on and off the pitch. The Manchester City dream is in full motion and there is no doubt that running through the club there is a clear and calculated plan to achieve their goals. Despite the mind games and tricks of the trade, there is one piece of the puzzle that Hughes must not forget - he will be judged by results, tricks of the trade do not always win you titles. Until next time...
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