The Top Flight
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EPL: Mark Hughes could be the saint to save Southampton

By Orri Benatar

HUDDERSFIELD, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 26: Mark Hughes, Manager of Stoke City looks on prior to the Premier League match between Huddersfield Town and Stoke City at John Smith's Stadium on December 26, 2017 in Huddersfield, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
HUDDERSFIELD, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 26: Mark Hughes, Manager of Stoke City looks on prior to the Premier League match between Huddersfield Town and Stoke City at John Smith's Stadium on December 26, 2017 in Huddersfield, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images) /
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Southampton has hired Mark Hughes as the manager for the remainder of the 2017-18 season. Can he keep the Saints up in the top flight?

Southampton confirmed Wednesday, March 14th that former Stoke City manager Mark Hughes will become the manager at St. Mary’s. He will hold the position for at least the remainder of the season as Southampton (17th place, 28 points) are just one spot and point above the bottom three.

The Saints are the sixth Premier League team Mark Hughes will manage. He previously managed Blackburn Rovers, Manchester City, Fulham, and QPR before spending five years at Stoke City. Stoke City sacked him on January 6th. Hughes is a good enough manager to tactically change the Saints side to play better. The opposition they will face for the remainder of the season might be problematic for future plans.

The Schedule

The Saints face a gauntlet to end the 2017-18 campaign. After Hughes’ managerial debut Saturday against Wigan in the FA Cup, the Saints head to London Stadium to face a down in the dumps West Ham side. The season will conclude with matches against Arsenal, Chelsea, Leicester, Bournemouth, Everton, and Manchester City.

Initially, that looks like a lot of losses for a team that has struggled all season. Southampton must beat West Ham and Bournemouth to have a chance at staying up. They also probably need at least a draw against one of the three big clubs they will play.

Mark Hughes has managed at a top club and was able to get results for Stoke City against the top teams in England. If Hughes stays long-term, we could be saying that it’s hardest to win on a cold, rainy Saturday at St. Mary’s.

Hughes is consistent

Southampton supporters have reacted positively to this move. Hughes has proven he can keep teams up and keep them consistent without the top players. Stoke City under Hughes finished mid-table almost every season and didn’t have any top players.

The Saints always bounced back after Liverpool poached their players. This is the first season they have struggled this much in recent memory and Pellegrino wasn’t the right man in this situation. It will be a tough task, but Mark Hughes can certainly be the saint to save Southampton.

Next: UCL - Chelsea bow out as Barcelona win convincingly 3-0

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