The amount of time he spends running up and down the pitch before matches would suggest he's at full fitness already. Match fitness might be a bit short though as he's not been involved for a while.
I like him and when he was in the side we did put in some fantastic performances. Seems strange that he's not even been involved in a squad for some time, so can't see Powell putting him straight back in.
can't argue with the results when he was in the starting 11 (5 wins v carlisle , wycombe,hartlepool, preston and brentford 16 goals for 3 against) and he is ok as a defensive midfielder but i wouldn't have him down as any sort of saviour and like most players that don't play they're stock rises maybe i'm still suffering from the JPT performance as por as you'll see no matter what position he was playing
Powell said he has been injured and while now fit has had no game time recently.
Wouldn't be surprised to see him and a few others in a behind closed door game tomorrow.
Dale Stephens had very little game time before coming back into the side. So i'd expect to see him sooner rather than later.
Agree with ooohaaah that he isnt a saviour and I'd add that I dont think he'll be here next season. However, he will add a bit of steel to the midfield and his character could be invaluable.
Hollands played a more forward role with Hughes in the team. My opinion we played some of our best football with Hughes in the holding role.
Agree with this. Hughes brings steel and energy to the midfield which I think we are currently lacking. Dale is not playing that well IMHO and would like to see Hughes brought in.
When he came on for Russell against Huddersfield, he was everywhere. He never hides and I'd compare him as a sort of Keith Jones type (although not as good)...nothing fancy but mega fit and knows his job.
Maybe not a saviour, he's not gunna score bucket loads of goals, but he works his a** off out there, covers everyone, allowing everyone else to bomb forward. For me he should be back in the squad on the bench, Pritchard should get another look in as well. It seems like Stephens hasn't earnt his place in the team very much lately so I think maybe we should rethink the midfield a bit more, Waggy also seems to have shown his class on Saturday so maybe he should be given more of a role too.
I do tire of the Andy Hughes as messiah stuff. He works hard but he's a very limited player. Against Wycombe he had a decent first half, including a great pass to Wiggins to cross for our goal, but then was absolutely shocking in the second. Every pass went awry and he brought a lot of pressure onto us. The fact he hasn't played in ages is what has elevated his status to some kind of superhero. I think if he came back into the squad he'd do a job and he'd add some fight, but I also think people would be a bit disappointed with him, and especially so when Danny Hollands doesn't suddenly combine with him like they're some kind of Megazord and score loads of goals.
We played well with Hughes in the team, yes, but everyone played well at that time. BWP was scoring for fun, Wiggins was unstoppable down the wing, the defence was impregnable, Jackson was ghosting in at the far post for goals, Yann was getting assists and goals everywhere, Hamer even got an assist from his goal line against Carlisle. The team was fresh, fit and it was that stage in the season where good teams do their best work. Now comes the hard slog and a 34 year old utility man isn't the answer to all our problems I'm afraid. Having said all that I'd be happy to see him back in the squad, especially as I think Stephens needs a break, but people should avoid putting all their hopes on Andy Hughes riding in to rescue a team that's just trying to muscle through a tough end of season where the pressure is huge
Don't think anyone on this thread has called Hughes a "saviour".
Hughes is a very unselfish player who is happy to sit. One of the reasons Wiggins and Hollands looked so good going forward when he played was that they were confident that Hughes would plug any gap left at the back.
No, he is not a saviour or footballing genius but he has plenty of nous and experience of being promoted which is maybe just what you need when you're "trying to muscle through a tough end of season where the pressure is huge"
Maybe Russell can also do that and maybe Stephens and Hollands will get back to early form after a rest but Hughes is an option worth considering IMHO
We played well with Hughes in the team, yes, but everyone played well at that time. BWP was scoring for fun, Wiggins was unstoppable down the wing, the defence was impregnable, Jackson was ghosting in at the far post for goals, Yann was getting assists and goals everywhere, Hamer even got an assist from his goal line against Carlisle. The team was fresh, fit and it was that stage in the season where good teams do their best work. Now comes the hard slog and a 34 year old utility man isn't the answer to all our problems I'm afraid. Having said all that I'd be happy to see him back in the squad, especially as I think Stephens needs a break, but people should avoid putting all their hopes on Andy Hughes riding in to rescue a team that's just trying to muscle through a tough end of season where the pressure is huge
If memory serves, wasn't Jackson out injured for at least some, if not all, of the games that Hughes played in centre mid?
Anyhoo, I think you're underestimating the effect he has on the team as a whole. It's not about scoring goals or getting assists, it's about balance and allowing other people to do what they do best. I honestly don't think that Stephens and Hollands are a good pairing and whilst either of them is a far more technically gifted footballer than Hughes, that doesn't mean that they should both play. I'd like to see Hollands and Hughes in midfield with Stephens on the bench.
I'd bring in Russell ahead of Hughes. I agree Henry, his experience would be useful and I do like him in central midfield, I just get a bit tired of seeing us drop points and hearing 'well, if Andy Hughes had been there..' like he would have hooked a goal-bound shot off the line and run the ball in at the other end. Hamer also has excellent experience of being part of promoted sides, yet people seem determined to hunt him down and fire him out of a cannon. I'd say Hamer is yet to have an all-round performance worse than Hughes's against Brentford in the JPT but it just all goes to perception. Hughes is a head down work hard sort of player, Hamer comes across as an arrogant kid who you'd hate if he played against you (not unlike Yann). That's why we have one thread devoted to bringing back Hughes and several devoted to ousting Hamer
Don't think anyone on this thread has called Hughes a "saviour".
Hughes is a very unselfish player who is happy to sit. One of the reasons Wiggins and Hollands looked so good going forward when he played was that they were confident that Hughes would plug any gap left at the back.
No, he is not a saviour or footballing genius but he has plenty of nous and experience of being promoted which is maybe just what you need when you're "trying to muscle through a tough end of season where the pressure is huge"
Maybe Russell can also do that and maybe Stephens and Hollands will get back to early form after a rest but Hughes is an option worth considering IMHO
Forget the JPT game. His debut in a scratch side playing in a meaningless cup. He has proved that he has much more than that to offer. Will he be gone in May? For sure but he was bought to do a one season job IMHO and so far he has done that.
Not seeing all these threads calling for Hamer to be hunted down and fired out of a cannon. Think he's getting a much easier ride than a lot of other keepers would have got after the last two games.
But regardless this is about Hughes. Not a saviour but again I've not read anyone saying "if Hughes had been there..." other than you.
When Charlton signed Hughes I seem to remember a lot of Leeds fans saying a lot of good things about Hughes in terms of his 100% commitment and effort in every game. Nothing special as a player but an Elland Road legend. I for one would be very happy to see those attributes brought to the team that is after two home defeats in a week having a wobble.
I'd bring in Russell ahead of Hughes. I agree Henry, his experience would be useful and I do like him in central midfield, I just get a bit tired of seeing us drop points and hearing 'well, if Andy Hughes had been there..' like he would have hooked a goal-bound shot off the line and run the ball in at the other end. Hamer also has excellent experience of being part of promoted sides, yet people seem determined to hunt him down and fire him out of a cannon. I'd say Hamer is yet to have an all-round performance worse than Hughes's against Brentford in the JPT but it just all goes to perception. Hughes is a head down work hard sort of player, Hamer comes across as an arrogant kid who you'd hate if he played against you (not unlike Yann). That's why we have one thread devoted to bringing back Hughes and several devoted to ousting Hamer
I'd bring in Pritchard ahead of both of them. Drop Stephens because he isn't fully fit and bring Waggy in for Green.
As we all appreciate, Hughes is a limited player ....but he's also a player that knows his limitations and therefore plays to his strengths.
In midfield, he provides the platform that allows team mates the confidence to get forward, knowing he'll seemlessly move into position to cover.
He's also one of those players that never gives up, always encouraging others around him. A bit of a warrior.
Russell, for example, is a better all round footballer ...... but in those 5 or 6 games when Hughes played in midfield, we saw very good performances from virtually every player in the team.
Russell, much better player than Hughes. More experience than Pritchard. If you're gonna bring in a midfielder, then its a no brainer really. As our confidence is suddenly low, against Scunthorpe I'd start off with 4-5-1, with Stephens playing just behind Kerm or BWP
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I like him and when he was in the side we did put in some fantastic performances. Seems strange that he's not even been involved in a squad for some time, so can't see Powell putting him straight back in.
maybe i'm still suffering from the JPT performance as por as you'll see no matter what position he was playing
i think he's a poor mans semedo
Wouldn't be surprised to see him and a few others in a behind closed door game tomorrow.
I just show my Charlton Life badge. : = )
I don't get to see them but I guess if someone just turned up at Sparrows lane you could get in.
Don't even know is there is a game planned but my guess is that as this is our first free midweek in ages they'll try to fit a reserve game in.
Agree with ooohaaah that he isnt a saviour and I'd add that I dont think he'll be here next season. However, he will add a bit of steel to the midfield and his character could be invaluable.
Younger, faster and from what I've seen he offers a bit more with the ball.
With Stephens and Green in the team I think we lack that bit of pace or energy (even more so with them next to each other).
Can get that back with either Stephens and Wagstaff or Hughes and Green. Either way we got some good results with convincing performances.
We played well with Hughes in the team, yes, but everyone played well at that time. BWP was scoring for fun, Wiggins was unstoppable down the wing, the defence was impregnable, Jackson was ghosting in at the far post for goals, Yann was getting assists and goals everywhere, Hamer even got an assist from his goal line against Carlisle. The team was fresh, fit and it was that stage in the season where good teams do their best work. Now comes the hard slog and a 34 year old utility man isn't the answer to all our problems I'm afraid. Having said all that I'd be happy to see him back in the squad, especially as I think Stephens needs a break, but people should avoid putting all their hopes on Andy Hughes riding in to rescue a team that's just trying to muscle through a tough end of season where the pressure is huge
Hughes is a very unselfish player who is happy to sit. One of the reasons Wiggins and Hollands looked so good going forward when he played was that they were confident that Hughes would plug any gap left at the back.
No, he is not a saviour or footballing genius but he has plenty of nous and experience of being promoted which is maybe just what you need when you're "trying to muscle through a tough end of season where the pressure is huge"
Maybe Russell can also do that and maybe Stephens and Hollands will get back to early form after a rest but Hughes is an option worth considering IMHO
Anyhoo, I think you're underestimating the effect he has on the team as a whole. It's not about scoring goals or getting assists, it's about balance and allowing other people to do what they do best. I honestly don't think that Stephens and Hollands are a good pairing and whilst either of them is a far more technically gifted footballer than Hughes, that doesn't mean that they should both play. I'd like to see Hollands and Hughes in midfield with Stephens on the bench.
Not seeing all these threads calling for Hamer to be hunted down and fired out of a cannon. Think he's getting a much easier ride than a lot of other keepers would have got after the last two games.
But regardless this is about Hughes. Not a saviour but again I've not read anyone saying "if Hughes had been there..." other than you.
In midfield, he provides the platform that allows team mates the confidence to get forward, knowing he'll seemlessly move into position to cover.
He's also one of those players that never gives up, always encouraging others around him. A bit of a warrior.
Russell, for example, is a better all round footballer ...... but in those 5 or 6 games when Hughes played in midfield, we saw very good performances from virtually every player in the team.
That's his value.
What about his hair?