Sure, Hughes is an average player with average ability - but it's his effectiveness in what he does and how the team benefits, that shows his true worth.
As well as covering the soft underbelly of our CBs on the deck, he creates the platform that gives our full backs and more creative players the freedom and confidence to get forward.
And to trot out the old well worn cliche, helps make the team greater than the sum of its parts.
Last season in the League we won every one of the 5 games that Hughes started and scored 16 goals, 6 of which came from midfield, and conceded 3, keeping 3 clean sheets.
This season in the League we have won 3 and drawn 1 of the 4 games that Hughes has started and scored 11 goals, 6 of which have come from midfield, and conceded 3 keeping 3 clean sheets.
Last season in the League we won every one of the 5 games that Hughes started and scored 16 goals, 6 of which came from midfield, and conceded 3, keeping 3 clean sheets.
This season in the League we have won 3 and drawn 1 of the 4 games that Hughes has started and scored 11 goals, 6 of which have come from midfield, and conceded 3 keeping 3 clean sheets.
Last season in the League we won every one of the 5 games that Hughes started and scored 16 goals, 6 of which came from midfield, and conceded 3, keeping 3 clean sheets.
This season in the League we have won 3 and drawn 1 of the 4 games that Hughes has started and scored 11 goals, 6 of which have come from midfield, and conceded 3 keeping 3 clean sheets.
What an impact. Why does he have to be 35?
I was saying that last season to anyone that would listen, what we have cried out for is a holding midfielder for a long long time and the only players that are brought in are strikers or wingers. What Hughes brings is not just his holding capabilities, he is another onfield leader and he can pick out a good pass too.
Sorry to fart at your party but I just can't join this Hughsey the hero /old dog/big dog/top dog love-in.
He sounds like a decent fella / experienced pro to have around the dressing room etc etc but having heard him jabbering on while commentating on Player and trying to impress that female commentator with the annoying voice, he would irritate the hell out of me.
I thought he was possibly our worse player last season and mostly memorable for his super athletic 86 minute warm ups and brylcream slick hairstyle. I groaned out loud when I saw him on the team sheet for Bolton and after 15 minutes thought he should have been dragged off. He was nearly as far behind the play as the ref and that was saying something.
Yes he ended up having three half decent games by keeping it simple and that's to be admired at his age but I would still rather see Hollands or Gower in central midfield and don't see him as the great missing link.
Not slagging him off just saying he ain't Patrick Vieira.
Sorry but that post is a load of bollocks although I defend your right to post it.
agree with SHG but obviously entitled to your opinion
So he's a "limited player", aged 35 who has played less than 10 games in two seasons at Charlton but he is suddenly a top dog super-hero and I am the one talking bollocks.
Good luck to him. Obviously a decent bloke and pleased to see him have a few decent games but the hero worship is a bit over the top for me for a player of his ability and contribution.
I shall withdraw and allow the love-fest to continue uninterrupted. Enjoy.
His record when starting speaks for its self.
His review from SCP is hugely positive and it seems like he has an extremely good effect on the first team and young players at the club.
He is in touch with fans (look at the reaction Leeds fans give him) and his twitter is always in praise of us.
He's no 'superhero' but I can see why so many of our fans really like him.
As I mentioned in the player marks, I thought bringing Hughes back in was an act of desparation. I was wrong for the following reasons.
1, Andy Hughes is not the quickest player in the world but he is a very good reader of the game. He doesn't run much but is never more than a few yards from the ball. More often than not he will win the second ball because he knows where it going to drop before anyone else reacts. When he does get his foot on the ball, he appears to have a lot of time to pick out a team mate. Also he is very good at making himself available for a pass, especially from the back four, which stops us hoofing it upfield all the time and stops the opposition build up periods of sustained pressure.
2, Andy Hughes is never going to surge forward past the strikers to arrive in the box. Which is fine, because it allows Johnny Jackson to do this and we are all aware just how good he is at arriving in the box at the right time. Hughes bridges the gap between the defence and the offensive midfielders to allow them to bomb forward knowing cover is always there.
3, Andy Hughes allows us to look a balanced team playing 4-4-2. The extra solidity in the midfield means we can play two up top without being totally overrun in the center. Unleash the beastly duo of Mr Kermorgant and Mr Fuller. Can you imagaine playing against a front two who will beat you physically and aerialy 90% of the time.
Unleash the beastly duo of Mr Kermorgant and Mr Fuller. Can you imagaine playing against a front two who will beat you physically and aerialy 90% of the time.
As I mentioned in the player marks, I thought bringing Hughes back in was an act of desparation. I was wrong for the following reasons.
1, Andy Hughes is not the quickest player in the world but he is a very good reader of the game. He doesn't run much but is never more than a few yards from the ball. More often than not he will win the second ball because he knows where it going to drop before anyone else reacts. When he does get his foot on the ball, he appears to have a lot of time to pick out a team mate. Also he is very good at making himself available for a pass, especially from the back four, which stops us hoofing it upfield all the time and stops the opposition build up periods of sustained pressure.
2, Andy Hughes is never going to surge forward past the strikers to arrive in the box. Which is fine, because it allows Johnny Jackson to do this and we are all aware just how good he is at arriving in the box at the right time. Hughes bridges the gap between the defence and the offensive midfielders to allow them to bomb forward knowing cover is always there.
3, Andy Hughes allows us to look a balanced team playing 4-4-2. The extra solidity in the midfield means we can play two up top without being totally overrun in the center. Unleash the beastly duo of Mr Kermorgant and Mr Fuller. Can you imagaine playing against a front two who will beat you physically and aerialy 90% of the time.
This.
It takes different sorts of players to make a team, you don't have to be quick to do the job he does, if anything age (well, the experience that comes with it) is an advantage.
Leicester is a good example, they have loads of very quick direct football players, the end result is that they all bomb forward at 100mph and get caught out at the back. Despite millions of pounds spent on the team they sit in 8th place just four points above us.
Last season in the League we won every one of the 5 games that Hughes started and scored 16 goals, 6 of which came from midfield, and conceded 3, keeping 3 clean sheets.
This season in the League we have won 3 and drawn 1 of the 4 games that Hughes has started and scored 11 goals, 6 of which have come from midfield, and conceded 3 keeping 3 clean sheets.
What an impact. Why does he have to be 35?
I was saying that last season to anyone that would listen, what we have cried out for is a holding midfielder for a long long time and the only players that are brought in are strikers or wingers. What Hughes brings is not just his holding capabilities, he is another onfield leader and he can pick out a good pass too.
What Hughes' effect on the team has shown is that the way to make a team better in attack is not always to put more attacking players in the side.
He may not be not be Viera but the team is clearly better balanced with him in the side so I think it's great that the fans are recognising that contribution even there are still a minority of incredibly miserable bastards determined to find reason to complain.
NWA sums it up very well. If you look at his record it is second to none. One more game then and we can expect him to be dropped...like he was last season....?
As well as Hughes has done, I would still like to see a younger player come in to that position next season, and probably would have Hughes made a coach. I'm guessing that this is where Rouamba is being lined up should it all work out.
Have to admit, I was a little unsure of him when he spent a whole year injured and kept making jokes about it. But then again, I trust the Charlton players' appraisals of him as they know the bloke, and I don't!
If every player in the Charlton squad says he is a top, top guy (which they do), that's good enough for me.
To be fair though Tom, theres not a lot you can do if your injured. Joking about it probably prevents your morale from hitting rock bottom and keeps you in touch with the squad.
Agree with the rest of what you say though. Can only go on the squads comments.
Everyone at the club loves him, he was a right laugh on the commentary vs. Birmingham and we never lose when he plays. I don't think I could dislike him if I tried.
Everyone at the club loves him, he was a right laugh on the commentary vs. Birmingham and we never lose when he plays. I don't think I could dislike him if I tried.
Everyone at the club loves him, he was a right laugh on the commentary vs. Birmingham and we never lose when he plays. I don't think I could dislike him if I tried.
He can be the biggest up-his-own arris for as long as he likes, as long as we keep on winning with him in the team.
He was on my and Rothko's table last year at the shirt sponsors' do and was a very entertaining bloke. Welcoming, open, confessing to frustration at not playing but stressing how it was all about the squad and the team for him, and how it was his responsibility to be ready when the chance arose. Liked him enormously.
Comments
As well as covering the soft underbelly of our CBs on the deck, he creates the platform that gives our full backs and more creative players the freedom and confidence to get forward.
And to trot out the old well worn cliche, helps make the team greater than the sum of its parts.
;o)
This season in the League we have won 3 and drawn 1 of the 4 games that Hughes has started and scored 11 goals, 6 of which have come from midfield, and conceded 3 keeping 3 clean sheets.
What an impact. Why does he have to be 35?
His review from SCP is hugely positive and it seems like he has an extremely good effect on the first team and young players at the club.
He is in touch with fans (look at the reaction Leeds fans give him) and his twitter is always in praise of us.
He's no 'superhero' but I can see why so many of our fans really like him.
1, Andy Hughes is not the quickest player in the world but he is a very good reader of the game. He doesn't run much but is never more than a few yards from the ball. More often than not he will win the second ball because he knows where it going to drop before anyone else reacts. When he does get his foot on the ball, he appears to have a lot of time to pick out a team mate. Also he is very good at making himself available for a pass, especially from the back four, which stops us hoofing it upfield all the time and stops the opposition build up periods of sustained pressure.
2, Andy Hughes is never going to surge forward past the strikers to arrive in the box. Which is fine, because it allows Johnny Jackson to do this and we are all aware just how good he is at arriving in the box at the right time. Hughes bridges the gap between the defence and the offensive midfielders to allow them to bomb forward knowing cover is always there.
3, Andy Hughes allows us to look a balanced team playing 4-4-2. The extra solidity in the midfield means we can play two up top without being totally overrun in the center. Unleash the beastly duo of Mr Kermorgant and Mr Fuller. Can you imagaine playing against a front two who will beat you physically and aerialy 90% of the time.
It takes different sorts of players to make a team, you don't have to be quick to do the job he does, if anything age (well, the experience that comes with it) is an advantage.
Leicester is a good example, they have loads of very quick direct football players, the end result is that they all bomb forward at 100mph and get caught out at the back. Despite millions of pounds spent on the team they sit in 8th place just four points above us.
He may not be not be Viera but the team is clearly better balanced with him in the side so I think it's great that the fans are recognising that contribution even there are still a minority of incredibly miserable bastards determined to find reason to complain.
To which Hughesy responded "And they're jealous for what you do, remember that"
Quality!
Glad to see that some people understand why we had an ever declining team for six years, with I'll wait for you talented players.
Eh?
Do you know him well mr president
If every player in the Charlton squad says he is a top, top guy (which they do), that's good enough for me.
Agree with the rest of what you say though. Can only go on the squads comments.