Hello

I nipped through to watch the team train last week and saw Gavilan skinning Aaron Hughes. He impressed me and I thought we may start seeing more of him, but he still seems to be a bit part player. Having said that, after seeing Aaron Hughes being tied in knots by the Watford no.14 it may be that Hughes is not the left back that I though he was.

It was hard work watching that match, too many players had off days but it bugs me when the crowd boo at the half time break, I cannot see what good it does.

-- Anonymous, March 13, 2000

Answers

Hughes first touch on Saturday was the worse I have even seen from him. I don't know what is the matter with him. But he started under BR well and now seems to be in a steady decline?

Any theories?

Jay

-- Anonymous, March 13, 2000

In general, he looks to have gained in stature since YBR took over. He Bear in mind that no one knows whether he's a left back or central defender. Regarding Galivan - I think Bobby is going to wait for a no risk time to play him. He apparently ahs a lot to learn defensively and we were in no position to take such a risk on Saturday.

-- Anonymous, March 13, 2000

Hughes had the same flu bug as Dyer on Saturday. It showed!

-- Anonymous, March 13, 2000

If he had flu why was he playing? Especially with Domi oon the bench and Griffin back available. Good job it wasn't against someone good!

-- Anonymous, March 13, 2000

YBR said he only started feeling a bit rough at lunchtime before the match but felt OK to start.

Maybe watching Domis runs will help him realize who the left back shud be ,considering our recent inability to break down defences.

-- Anonymous, March 13, 2000

I think Hughes is an out and out defender, NOT a wing back. This may not be what is expected from full backs, so his days there will be numbered. I think his positional sense, and ability to not jump mean he will be a great defender, but it is as that, a defender.

He got done a couple of times on Saturday which is unusual for him as Totti, McManaman etc didn't get anything out of him.

Hughes would have been an ideal defender for the Keegan team as he would have happily stayed back, rather than join in the general free for all.

-- Anonymous, March 13, 2000

Hughes in steady decline! To: Jay

Sorry Jay, but I can't agree that Hughes is in steady decline. Strangely, I thought he was in terminal decline under RG, but that was probably a result of neglect.

Under BR, Aaron has made steady progress. He's played well in a variety of roles which now makes him an invaluable squad player. Of note - he doesn't spend half the season on the treatment table either.

While Saturday's performance was perhaps his least impressive to date, there seem to have been contributory health reasons, and he certainly wasn't bad even then.

He certainly isn't a LB, but has done well there for us, principally because he's sound defensively which is Domi's weakness. However, I've also been impressed with how he's got forward to support the attack - obviously under BR's instructions - even though he's not totally comfortable. The main problem he's had is crossing the ball with his left foot.

No, the lad's doing OK. Great squad player who's learning all the time under BR's guidance, and potnetially a very good CB for the future.

-- Anonymous, March 13, 2000

Boo! Hiss! Terminal decline under Gullit indeed! Got his main cahnce under Gullit. Used successfully as a man-marker under Gullit. Performed sensationally as a right wing-back against Derby under Gullit, demonstrating excellent crossing skills with his RIGHT foot under Gullit.
Once again the baby is being hoyed out of the window with the bathwater. Gullit was catastrophic for morale but had no flies on him as a coach. EVEN Alan Shearer - who has no reason whatsoever to be diplomatic about the guy - says that Gullit was an excellent coach.
There, that should liven things up a bit :-)

-- Anonymous, March 14, 2000

Huge Gullet revisited!.....to: Softie

I suspect we may have had this debate before Softie, and you know by now that I'm somewhat prone to a little literary exaggeration!

I honestly can't recall the performances by Hughes that you mention, but don't doubt the accuracy of your observations. However, you will also recall that RG frequently overlooked Hughes in favour of Beharall, for reasons best known to himself.

My own, potentially flawed, recollection of Aaron's latter performances under RG were of a player low on confidence and of a promising young player who didn't seem to be moving forward. I recall watching him on TV playing for N.Ireland during this period, and having an absolute 'mare - my thoughts at the time were that here was a good Toon prospect who simply wasn't progressing as he should. Since BR came in I'm delighted with the progress Aaron has made. I suspect much of this is down to confidence. Whatever, he is now a legitimate first team squad player.

Now, as you are aware I wasn't a massive fan of TDO, and I'm prepared to admit that my memory may be being selective (again!). It's all academic anyway, the really important point is that we now have young, home-developed, versatile defender who is making a genuine contribution to the squad, and thereby saving us some serious brass. Oh that we had a few more like him!

-- Anonymous, March 14, 2000

Hughes played v's Barca I seem to remember, he didn't do to badly either. We now know why he was below par on Saturday and I for one will let Gullit of the hook there.

Back to Gavilan, what does Robson intend doing with him I cannot believe he would spend that money and not get him involved. perhaps he is going to be a (not so very well kept) secret weopon for the tRICKY games coming up.

-- Anonymous, March 14, 2000

Bobby seems to see him as an either/or with Solano since Gallacher always gets the nod when available - good thing too, he's the only one that seems to understand the concept of movement off the ball to attract passes.
Nobby is due to be off on his travels again any day now isn't he, so hopefully the Sparrowhawk will get a chance to soar in more amenable surroundings.

-- Anonymous, March 14, 2000

Aaron Hughes did come on in the Nou Camp at half time. He made further sub appearances for Kenny against Dynamo Kyiv at SJP and Everton in the FA Cup. He made his first start against Liverpool in the League Cup when we fielded 5 at the back and Rush on his own up front and lost 2-0 in extra time. He played in 3 more losses for Kenny (Wed away, Liverpool away and Sotton away) and also in Andersson's first game against Leeds. Hughes was subbed on 86 mins for Ketsy who put his 4 minutes to good use by scoring an equalizer.

He actually became a regular under the cruel and oppressive regime of Ruud Gullit, who fielded him for the first time in November of 1998 at Old Trafford and kept him in the lineup until January. He was out for 6 weeks but became a fixture again from March to the end of the season, notching up 17 games but failing to justify a Cup Final appearance.

Gullit brought in three senior centre halves in the closed season, ostensibly to provide a proper defence at last, and quite rightly chose to start the season with the new signings but injuries meant that Hughes was brought into a losing side against Sotton and Spurs where he performed miserably on both occasions along with the entire rest of the squad. Since YBR has arrived he has even scored his first senior goal for us during the 8-0 against Wednesday. But his turnaround in performance is no more marked than any other player's under Robson, and his bad spell under Gullit consisted of TWO games. This should not somehow discount the 17 games he played in two extended runs the previous season, and is a damned sight better than only being fielded in Cup competitions we were already doomed in or coming on as an occasional sub in terms of the player's development. You have to ask how he would have turned out without RG's input after knowing only defeat and a single draw under Dalglish.

Baby, bath water, both down the drain. He's still only 20 (or 21) and can expect to improve over several years. A couple of setbacks will only make him stronger - look at Warren Barton!

-- Anonymous, March 14, 2000

>>>>> look at Warren Barton!

Do I have to? Too many similarities!! It's just as bad as watching Corrie or a very old Tomorrow's World!

-- Anonymous, March 14, 2000

Well back to the crux of the initial debate.

We essentially have 4 players covering two positions. Whehhe depth in the midield. Initially under Bobby, Solano was playing wide right and Dyer was playing in the hole behind the strikers as a link player. This period of time saw Nobby leading the league in assists and Dyer running at opponants and linking well beween the front two and midfield. Oh and us the fans raving about our midfield players, and their rejuvination under Bobby.

Dyer then got injured and Bobby obtained Gallacher as a replacement and cover for the front two. However since Gallachers' arrival, Al and Yin have started every match. Dyer was out for a period after his operation and Gallacher took his spot. When Dyer returned to the line up, Solano went down, then walk-about, then fined and benched by Bobby.

Then Gavilan arrived as cover for Solano when he goes on international duty.

Since then all four players have been healthy (except for Dyer claiming to have the flu, when we all know that him and the girlfriend have been keeping eachother up all night), and Bobby has had the dilema of having four player to fill two spots. As under Bobby Speed and Lee's positions are sacrosanct unless injury or suspension rule them out.

So a pecking order of sorts has to be established, whith Solano and Gallacher starting, Dyer trying to regian his spot from Gallacher and filling in Solano's position when he is awol. And Gavilan just has to sit and waite for his chances. Which should come next time we have a comfortable 2 goal lead with ten minutes to go.

Tre

-- Anonymous, March 14, 2000

On reflection, I believe YBR doesn't see Rob Lee as a guaranteed fixture for much longer. The guy has played really well in the early part of his comeback, but of late (along with quite a few others) he hasn't been turning it on so much. Whether this can/will change for the rest of the season, who knows. However, I think YBR is looking to phase him out, whether it be Gavilan or Dyer (unlikely?) or someone like Dacourt or Guadiola. I also have recurring concerns about Speed. To be honest, I'd rather see our midfield right now with only one of Lee/Speed in it. Neither provides much forward movement and Speed's only contribution to attack is his good heading ability from set plays resulting in a few goals. OK, he had a good shot on Saturday, but it was well saved.

When will we see some changes? Well, once YBR is confident we are totally safe - hopefully in a couple of weeks - I'd expect to see Gavilan come in a bit more, but we're unlikely to see many changes before the FAC semi against Chewsee.

-- Anonymous, March 15, 2000

Lee and Speed - both former attacking midfield supremos - have become the sort of players that managers value, but don't perhaps excite the crowd too much. We can't really f=do without them.

-- Anonymous, March 15, 2000

The Scene@StJames magazine had a big article on the boy Gav, and he does look like a wee boy. There were a few telling comments. Robson reckoned he (Gavilan) was the best two footed player he'd seen at his (Gavilan's) age. This is quite positive becaus ehe had the goofy Brazilian bloke when he was young as well. The other comments were that he saw him in the same class as Keiron Dyer, and that he has great pace. He was also a bit light at the moment. Because of his two footedness and pace he could play wide either left or right, but he may also be able to play in the Robert Lee role. This was an amazing comment, unless he was thinking about Robert Lee from a couple of years ago and linking between the midfield and the forwards. As someone so nicley put it to me last night Robert Lee has always had a big arse and thighs like tree trunks that give him the strength to keep the ball in the tightest of corners, don't see the wee boy being that.

It was all very uplifting though. The lad has also brought his mum and dad across to live with him, so he shouldn't get into too much trouble with lasses chasing his bucks.

-- Anonymous, March 15, 2000