Modest to the core! What would we have done without him this season. Nice praise for Goma who is finally establishing himself in our defence and will continue to shut up the doubters.

IT has been an eventful first few months of the season for Aaron Hughes. United's Mr Versatile has already played in every defensive position, has had a mystery virus, and established an impressive partnership with colleague Alain Goma.

After making his debut at the Nou Camp against Barcelona in 1997, Hughes began to consolidate his place in the side last season, and has now cemented his name on Bobby Robson's team list.

Hughes, who is 22 tomorrow, has already made more than 50 first team appearances for United. Yet while other youngsters like Rio Ferdinand, Jonathan Woodgate and Wes Brown have attracted the headlines, Hughes has been content to quietly establish himself as one of the most accomplished defenders in the country.

But the softly spoken Northern Ireland international is not one to blow his own trumpet. He said: "I have been pretty lucky to get my chance in the team. I have done fairly well, but it has been made easier by the players I have around me.

"I think this season Alain Goma has been outstanding. We work well together and he is so easy to play alongside. I am able to read his game and he reads mine. That is very important for building up a solid partnership.

"He is very strong on both the ground and the air and makes my job a lot easier. I think he thoroughly deserved his man-of-the match award against Ipswich as he was superb.

"You have to remember it was his 50-yard ball that opened up the Ipswich defence to set up Alan Shearer for our first goal as well."

-- Anonymous, November 07, 2000

Answers

I saw in the paper today that we had the 5th best defence in the country (as in we'd let in the 5th least amount of goals). Which is absolutely amazing when you consider the injuries and players who have been forced into the team.
How many of us would have thought that Charvet and Caldwell would have played games this season never mind 5 or 6 between them by November. As has been said before on here, the defence isn't the problem it's the forwards who are, hopefully this situation will change now AL's found the net.


-- Anonymous, November 07, 2000

It's an ill-wind...............

I said at the time that the injury to Dabs was probably a blessing in disguise, especially with YBR seemingly intent on riddding us of the sick bay boys such as Howey (and presumably Marclino eventually). This trew Hughes and Goma together and I think they've done a pretty impressive job. It's actually the wide defence which is causing more heartache than the centre - who'd have thought that?

-- Anonymous, November 07, 2000

Ever since Barton has played for NUFC the wide defence has been a worry for me.

-- Anonymous, November 07, 2000

the least pretentious footballer i ahve ever talked , ill say it again this lad will be one of the greatest servant NUFC will ever have , already my player of the season .. howay Hughsie give us a goal .

-- Anonymous, November 07, 2000

he's apparently marrying a lass he met at SJP, bless him.

-- Anonymous, November 07, 2000

I'm sure I could meed my dream lass at SJP, trouble is I'm always sat to a 5o odd year old bloke who smells of wee.

-- Anonymous, November 07, 2000

That's the last time I offer you a polo at half-time, Dave.

-- Anonymous, November 07, 2000

Dave le F,

That's not you in East Stand seat U87 is it?
Actually it's not "wee" it's my new Giorgio aftershave - it's called "K9P".

;-{)

-- Anonymous, November 07, 2000