Hughes for CB?

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Mick Wadsworth seems him settling there eventually. This is from today's Ronnie:

Aaron Hughes returns here today still in the dark about his best position - just as he was when he made his Newcastle United debut in the same city nearly three years ago.

But on the eve of tomorrow's game with Espanol in the Olympic Stadium overlooking Barcelona, United head coach Mick Wadsworth revealed that they see Hughes as a central defender.

Wadsworth said: "We have a lot of faith in Aaron Hughes ultimately as a centre-back."

But with Didier Domi still not fit, Hughes will stay at left-back against Espanol as Nicos Dabizas, Alain Goma and Marcelino share the central defensive duties.

Looking back to his United debut in the Nou Camp nearly three years ago Hughes said: "It will be nice to be back in Barcelona although we are playing a different team in a different situation.

"This is a city with great memories for me. To make your debut in the Nou Camp against Barcelona in the Champions' League is a great experience even though we lost 1-0 on the night.

"The whole night went over so very quickly. People always tell you to enjoy your debut and take it all in but it was hard to do that.

"It wasn't the biggest crowd I've ever played in front of but my main memory is of the Newcastle fans being right up at the top of the stadium in the pouring rain.

"It was an occasion to remember and there is certainly not a better place than Barcelona to make your debut, perhaps, other than St James's Park." Hughes has started all United's pre-season games in the left-back slot as Domi recovers from his broken rib.

And the Northern Ireland international added: "I feel pretty comfortable at left-back now but I would not go as far to say that it is my position. And I do still see myself as a centre-half. "That's the position I held when I came to the club but I am as confused as ever. People always ask me where I feel my best position is in the team but to be honest I don't know for sure.

"However, I suppose versatility is not a bad thing to have in the game."

When United return to Tyneside on Monday, Hughes will jump straight back on to a plane to Belfast.

He is in the Northern Ireland squad and will probably play at right-back in the friendly with Yugoslavia at Windsor Park on Wednesday night.

-- Anonymous, August 12, 2000

Answers

Note the date of Ciara's posting. Obviously now Mick Wadsworth's gone, it's clear where his best position is. Or is it?

-- Anonymous, May 02, 2002

He has adapted very well to RB and I suspect this is his best position. I don't think he is big or strong enough to make his mark as a PL CB.

If I'm being entirely honest here, I'm not convinced AH is good enough to be either a regular RB or CB in a legitimate top-3 PL team!

-- Anonymous, May 02, 2002


It hasn't stopped Ashley Cole playing LB for @rse. I think Hughes is as good a RB as COle is LB.

-- Anonymous, May 02, 2002

It's certain - Mick Wadsworth's best position is 180 miles away from St James' Park.

-- Anonymous, May 02, 2002

I think he's a superb full back, the best we've had since the 70s. He can defend, his instinct is to do so, but Solano/Robson have raised his confidence to the level where he is prepared to try the WB (wing back, not centre partin) role, and has done it superbly.

When our attacking players are so strong I really think our defenders shouls be defenders as per the Arsenal set. There should be no pressur eon any defender to cross the half way line, if they have the ability to do so that's great but it should be a necessary part of their game. Similarly if Robert could make two and score one every game I wouldn't care how poor (allegedly) his defenisve work was.

Hughes will be the solid dependable unnoticed full back to us, that Lee Dixon has been to Arsenal. Saldy none of the other three defensive positions have equivalent candidates. He is by a distance the least of our defensive problems (and he's only 22).

-- Anonymous, May 02, 2002



Agree with Macbeth - I think Hughes is an excellent wing back and as I recall he does well on either flank. I wonder if Griffin is ever going to get another game?

-- Anonymous, May 02, 2002

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