The Hughes factor?

Sevensix

We played our final 4 opponents in successive games in October and November, winning them all with a goals difference of 15-3.
As it happens these were the first 4 of the 5 games started by Hughes this season. I wonder if he has been pointing this out!

McLovin

Maybe a little forcibly. But really injury took him out of the running for the spot.

Certainly enough on here have. Worth noting that all of those games were paired with Hollands.

Addickforlife

If he is match fit, I would definitely pick him over Pritchard to start alongside Stephens. I like Pritch a lot, but think with Hughes next to him Stephens will have more license to play his natural game. Also I think Pritch is a good option from the bench as can be used in attacking or defensive roles.

ShootersHillGuru

I want him back in for final four games. He's energy and commitment and experience are exactly what we need at this stage. We desperately need someone who can break up the oppositions play more effectively than either Stephens or Pritchard can thereby releasing either Stephens or Pritchard to be a little more creative.

WSS

I don't want someone who hasn't played ANY competitive football for 5 months coming back for the sake of it - especially as we are keeping clean sheets and winning games.

Like Taylor/Wagstaff/Green/Hayes through various stages of the season- he has been unlucky in getting left out of teams and squads but hey ho - that's life.

ShootersHillGuru

I don't want someone who hasn't played ANY competitive football for 5 months coming back for the sake of it - especially as we are keeping clean sheets and winning games.

Like Taylor/Wagstaff/Green/Hayes through various stages of the season- he has been unlucky in getting left out of teams and squads but hey ho - that's life.</>

Cort ?

Crispy

I'd bring him in for Pritchard, think he'd bring the best out of Stephens just like he did with Hollands. He also brought the best out of Wiggins because he could bomb forward knowing that Hughes would be there to cover him

WSS

Fair point but Cort was brought in after we had conceded four at home and had a disappointing away draw against Scunthorpe.

I don't see any major frailaties in the centre of the park to be honest - at least not affecting results.

Rothko

We haven't conceded a goal in open play since the Notts County 4th

oohaahmortimer

maybe hughes will help us on the attacking side of things !

queensland_addick

Don't think he'd last 90 mins. Best to have him on the bench and bring him on if or when needed.

AttersP

In the five games Hughes started in October/November, we won them all including two 4-0 results as part of 10 scored goals over 3 games & a 5-2 victory over Preston. Also the last time he started was the last time BWP scored before his massive goal drought. Then Hughes was swapped for Russell, but we kept winning most of our games. Then Pritchard took over from Russel and we had a couple of wobbly results but still won most games. Then Stephens was slotted in with Hollands starting with the 1-1 draw against Bury.
Between the Bury Game on Jan 31st and the 2-4 defeat to Notts County on March 10th we only got 16 points of a possible 27. I'm not saying Stephens is responsible, but he always annoys me with the way he tries to be clever with his passes and they don't work. Also with Hughes in the team Hollands was able to take a more attacking role, which got us more goals.

bolloxbolder

Atters P, Stephens is responsible. Makes me laugh all these apologists coming on saying he may blossom in Championship as he will have more time on the ball. Well Nigel Adkins is a good judge based on where Saints are now and after half a season bombed him out.

Bubble

I remember Hughes got a bit of stick on this forum particularly about his distribution in games ... In fairness i would argue that both Pritchard and Hughes will battle and break up play, Hughes would edge it for me on that basis as Pritchard can be lightweight but then I would suggest Pritchard use of the ball is better and can affect games going forward, the fact is much like Hayes I don't think Powell fancies him that much which will ultimately give Pritchard the chance

Bubble

Stephens wasn't bombed out at Southampton he was injured whilst in the first team (against us if I remember rightly) and returned to Oldham, seem to remember were interested in him but he wanted guaranteed first team football so came to us .... Whether he can make the step up, who knows, for me he is has the basic technical ability too and is only 21 so has the time to develop into a really good player, I think after the Bournemouth game at home 90% were hoping he wouldn't get cherry picked in Jan!

Deadred

Stephens wasn't bombed out at Southampton he was injured whilst in the first team (against us if I remember rightly) and returned to Oldham, seem to remember were interested in him but he wanted guaranteed first team football so came to us .... Whether he can make the step up, who knows, for me he is has the basic technical ability too and is only 21 so has the time to develop into a really good player, I think after the Bournemouth game at home 90% were hoping he wouldn't get cherry picked in Jan!

This and correct he did get injured for Saints against us it was Samedo who done him!

Off_it

If it ain't broke ........

ShootersHillGuru

If it ain't broke ........

Does a car need to be broken before you tune the engine ?