Source: FOOTYMAD
Managers United
John Hughes is being backed by his fellow managers to ride out the storm over calls for his head Mixu Paatelainen and Jim Jefferies have backed their counterpart at Hibs, John Hughes, to survive the criticism recently raining down on his head. Hibs have failed to win at home in nine games and were knocked out of the Co-operative Insurance Cup in midweek by Kilmarnock. Paatelainen has branded criticism aimed at the Hibs manager in the wake of their Co-operative Insurance Cup defeat to Kilmarnock as "totally unfair". A section of supporters called for Hughes' head towards the end of the 3-1 defeat, after fans had booed the team off the pitch at the weekend. Paatelainen preceded Hughes in the Hibs hot seat and the Finn has every faith in his friend to transform the fortunes of the Edinburgh club, while claiming criticism so early in the season is unjustified. The Kilmarnock manager said: "I think it's totally unfair. Big Yogi is a hard-working guy, he's a very likeable guy, honest and straightforward. He did fantastically well last season, guiding Hibs to Europe. Sometimes you have a sticky start to the season. People have been totally unfair towards him but he will turn it around and get it right and I certainly hope so. Yogi is my friend, we played together and he is a likeable character. Other people's reaction is not justified at all. I think it happens everywhere and it's a shame because the efforts of managers and players is unbelievable. Certainly, at our club, we know how hard we work and how much detail we cover and we don't cut hours. It is a shame. Through hard work you can change things and that's what we believe in." Hearts manager Jefferies has praised the character of under-pressure Hughes and also suggested it was too early for calls for his removal. Hibs, who travel to Celtic on Saturday, have four wins from the last 26 games in all competitions to their name under Hughes. But Jefferies, who managed Hughes at Falkirk in the 1990s, has backed the Hibs boss to turn fortunes around. He said: "John Hughes is the most determined character I've ever come across. Sheer determination is his biggest strength and when it comes to a test of character there is nobody with any more than Yogi (Hughes). They've just got to make sure they stick with him. This is September, the season finishes in May. In May last year he took them to fourth in the league and took them into Europe for the first time in six years. Why is everybody panicking in September? He could easily go on a run of games. He believes the boys will come right and he's got to get them going. Right now maybe their confidence is a bit low, whereas last year at this time they were flying." Editor Ger Harley (ger@scottishfitba net)Admin Team (admin@scottishfitba net)This is ScottishFitba Net
