Source: Daily_Mail
Crisis point: If Manchester City lose to Sunderland, Mark Hughes is on his way
Feeling the heat: Hughes[LNB]Manchester City manager Mark Hughes is fighting an increasingly hazardous battle to save his job. Failure to beat Sunderland today would see Hughes in the firing line.[LNB]City face Sunderland at Eastlands on the back of a midweek 3-0 capitulation to Tottenham and the doubting voices are getting louder.[LNB]Star striker Carlos Tevez, however, last night launched an impassioned plea for Hughes to be given more time, telling Sportsmail: 'It would be a massive backward step for this club if Mark Hughes leaves now. People should not panic.'[LNB]But it emerged last night that club owner Sheik Mansour, of Abu Dhabi, is being urged to question how the season is progressing.[LNB]Hughes feels that he maintains the Sheik's support. City lie in eighth place in the Barclays Premier League table and he has privately pointed out that three wins from the next five league games will leave his team exactly where he and his board agreed they should be in early January. Indeed, City have a game in hand over many of their close rivals.[LNB] Backing: Carlos tevez has supported his manager[LNB]However, the sands appeared to shift significantly at Eastlands yesterday as leaks began to suggest that not everybody at City was as firm in their support of Hughes.[LNB]With Hughes facing Sunderland, Stoke City and Wolves over the Christmas period, the Welshman can only hope that Sheik Mansour holds his nerve under pressure from those who feel City are experiencing a disappointing season.[LNB] EXCLUSIVE: We back Hughes! Tevez hits out over pressure on bossEnter Guus? Man City approach former Chelsea boss Hiddink over switchMANCHESTER CITY FC
