Is it time to bring Andy Hughes back into midfield alongside Hollands? I think it might be. Overall, Russell may be a better ball carrier and passer than Hughes, but Hughes' defensive work gave the team a greater solidity. That said, I think if we did bring Hughes back into the team, there would be plenty saying that he does nothing, terrible passer etc etc. Russell/Hollands partnership record so far: Huddersfield (H) 2-0 [first half] Walsall (A) 1-1 Oldham (H) 1-1 Yeovil (A) 3-2 Orient (A) 0-1 Hughes/Hollands partnership record so far: Carlisle (H) 4-0 Wycombe (A) 2-1 Hartlepool (A) 4-0 Preston (H) 5-2 FC Halifax (A) 4-0 Brentford (A) 1-0 Huddersfield (H) 0-0 [second half] By the by, Hughes' introduction to the team also coincided with the introduction of Green and Kermorgant. I think so far this season, Powell has favoured two central midfielders with different jobs, one to be a creative outlet and one to play a little more defensively. Both of them have to be able to do both jobs at times, but by and large, they focus more on the role they've been assigned. When Stephens played, Hollands was the more defensive player, but with Russell and Hughes, Hollands has got forward more. In the choice between Russell and Hughes, then, the decision for me comes down to who Hollands plays better with. I think that's Hughes. For those people looking to see Stephens (when he returns from injury) or Pritchard come into a central midfield 2, that would come at the cost of moving Hollands back to the more defensive role. For that reason, it's not quite a straight swap between Pritchard and Russell. In order for Pritchard's introduction to work, he would have to be better offensively than Hollands and Hollands would have to be better defensively than the other two. I don't think that's the case, but fair enough if you do. What do people think? Should Hughes come in for the big three league games coming up?
Irish, I completely agree. As I've been saying on other threads, we have been riding our luck since and including Huddersfield when we introduced the two loanees. The key before that To me was Hughes playing solidly and letting Hollands get forward. Hughes has his limitations but I just fail to understand what Russell brings that Hughes doesn't. I actually prefer the Hughes and Hollands partnership to Hollands and Stephens. With the latter two I always felt that we had too big a gap between midfield and the front two. Now that kermit had replaced Hayes we are a bit more aerial so that maybe doesn't matter quite as much.
I would also prefer Hughes. I feel sorry for Waggy as well. A rare start for him to show what he can do and maybe have a good performance and be in contention for starts but gets subbed of for Sulivan after 5 minutes. Whats the chances of him starting against Brentford, very low, he must be pretty angry but being professional at the same time.
I think Russell is better going forward than Hughes, but Hughes covers every defensive hole that crops up. It was very harsh on Waggy, yes, Carrian. That said, not sure why we'd start with Waggy instead of BWP when we have the fourth highest scorer in the league available
Sorry. I'd forgotten about him. Assumed he would be ineligible. To many sherberts last night! You are quite right Irish. Waggy on the bench.
Yup - Glad Im not the only one to notice that Andy Hughes should be in the squad over Russell. Hell the freedom with which we scored against opposition with Hughes in the squad I'd pick him over Stephens when fully fit. Trouble is people say that Russell is good going forward but so is Hollands (who also scores more goals), there are times when you need someone to sit in front of the Defence letting everyone else to get forward which is what having Hughes in the squad allowed. Had a slow start but Hughes has definitely been a worthwhile signing
Agree with your premise totally IA - nice bit of Statto work too. However, most of all, I'd like to see Bradley Pritchard get 90 minutes...
v Either - Maybe on the Right Wing if Waggy isnt completely fit tomorrow (or to give him a rest for the Fulham match) - I was greatly impressed by Bradley's performance, one of the few highlights that came out of the Orient game
Can't deny results seem to be better with Hughes playing. But I think he's a bit more anonymous than Russel, who can be decent going forward and has a bit more pace. They're very very similar players, but out of the two I'd rather play Hughes - gives Hollands slightly more license to go forward, results are better when he plays, and he's one of ours not a loanee. Agree RE Pritchard, he was brilliant yesterday.
What I like about Hughes is the way he keeps an eye on his colleagues, as IA says he covers any gaps left when they go forward.
