I am firmly in the "good signing" camp. He's very much a ward-prowse type player from what I gather, and I think we definitely could do with one of those. I also think given the relative ages of most of the rest of our midfield, he'll be a regular starter before too long. Maybe even as soon as he is match fit. The consensus outside of these forums is that he certainly is premier league quality.

Smashing signing and a lot of people are going to be surprised how good he is. He is a better player than Jairo, Kouyate and Luka.

Who has said that we are pushing for the top 10? I have read that the project is about changing the style of play, having a younger squad and key to it all, a lower wage bill. Obviously we all hope that it will lead to better league performance but I don’t think that’s a primary aim. Clubs that have focussed solely on league position in the past have usually got into financial difficulties and been relegated pretty quickly. Steve Parish is smart enough to know that we must avoid that.

Edited by maddog (30 Aug 2021 10.26pm)

I'm really not sure what planet all the haters are on.

Probably because we bought him from Watford, good solid prem midfielder, who will improve us in that area.

Watford fans thought he was going to be there next captain, rarely gives the ball away, good in tight areas, can pass the ball forward. Good signing.

Looks like Nketiah next.

My equalibrium unbalanced me. Paul Draper Brighton 19/2/2018

probably not.

I think there may come a day when this is seen as the "steal of the window". I have yet to speak to a Watford supporter who isn't gutted that he left. Hughes is the sort of bread and butter, unspectacular "glue" player that really good clubs rely on; the sort who doesn't get the headlines and you only notice when he's not there. But then, boy do you notice him. Think Martin Hinshelwood if you're a long-term Palace fan.

As for Sissoko, I'd much rather have Hughes personally. Sissoko had a ten-minute spectacular period before signing for Spurs for a huge wedge and has done relatively little since to live up to the fee. He's the sort who's absolutely dominant when motivated and could be world-class if he had a mindset like Ronaldo but he doesn't and he isn't. He's motivated for a month or two once every couple of years. With Hughes, you get 80% of Sissoko's ability 100% of the time. With Sissoko, you get 60% of Sissoko's ability 40% of the time. The only place Sissoko is better than Hughes is on paper.

Sydenham by birth. Selhurst by the Grace of God.