Funny how people see things differently. For me, Hughes has shown over the last few weeks how good he is. Breaks things up keeps things tidy. He wasn't at his destructive best yesterday, but thought he did well. Schlupp for me is a left sided attacking player - if he's anything at all. But yes probably bench utility is his best role.

I actually thought we were decent yesterday. Some of the build up play was exquisite. Just one of those things were bad finishing and a few defensive lapses cost us.

I want Dwight Gayle back. As an aside. He'd be banging in some of those chances Eduoard is fluffing.

ANother poster spreading nonsense & has no clue

I agree with sprites.

Hughes was the only one helping Mitchell at times and you cant expect him to cover every area (Schlupp should be the one doing more others have to pick up his slack)

You do not play as many games he has for England u21 if you are Championship quality.

You have missed one of the big factors Roy does not use a lot of peoples strengths and plays people out of positions.

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Ahamada offers something different from Lerma or Doucoure, in particular his ability to carry the ball going forward, something we lacked when neither Eze or Olise was available. He could have been given a chance rather than stick with the same old options. Equally there have been times when bringing him on as a sub for either of the 2 you mention would have been reasonable.
As for Richards, I accept he’s not as good as our 2 centre halves but they’ve not played every game this season and he still can’t get a game, and there has been at least one occasion this season where he was available and not brought on as a sub when one of them went off injured. He is also capable of playing at right back and given Wardie looks like he could do with a rest and had been getting roasted why not give him a try?
That said my point was that Roy doesn’t rate them so it’s money down the drain keeping them.

Edited by Palacesince64 (13 Nov 2023 12.33am)

Quite simply, no, you are wrong. Hughes is too slow to play in that important spot next to Lerma. He also does not read the game as well as Doucoure. I can virtually guarantee we would not have conceded that third goal if Doucoure was on the pitch.

It’s also ridiculous to say he helped out Mitchell. Of course he did, he’s the left sided of the holding two, he’s supposed to do that. Yes, Schlupp should be tracking back but if a wide man cuts inside early then it is Hughes job to intercept and he cost us the last goal by failing to track back.

The pundits know their stuff, he got an outfield dead last 5.9 rating and the next lowest was Mitchell with a 6.3

He is very much a poor man’s Jimmy Mc and yet another of our make do players. My opinion but if you are going to call people’s opinions nonsense then I’m going to call you out on it and explain why they are not.

I note with interest that of the home games against teams currently below us, Fulham, Forest, and Everton, we didn't win a single one. Two lame 0-0 draws and a defeat. Two point out of a possible nine. That's form that will see you slide done the table, as we appear to be doing.
It's not all Roy's doing of course. Despite his overall defensive viewpoint of the game, he's been hard hit bit injuries to key players, and all the replacements are sub-standard. No doubt Parish thought he could squeeze another season out of players like Ward, given Roy's game plan and experience. Parish was mistaken. One Eze doesn't make up for two mediocre full backs. One Olise doesn't make up for a paper thin squad, that one has only to scratch the surface to see there's nothing there.
Games coming up in December and early January against the top sides, and I don't envisage us getting much out of them. currently 13th, and 15th/16th a real possibility. Managers have been sacked for less.
The blame ultimately falls on Parish. Money spent on players who are not essential to the current well being of the team: a keeper whose first meaningful action is to injure himself making a standard clearance, a young Brazilian 5700 mile from home, family, and friends, a centre back who Arsenal were only too happy to get a minimal fee for - the list goes on - Hughes, a bit part player even at Watford, and yet we expect him to fill a key midfield position. Mateta - can we get a refund?
It's ludicrous.

I think this result will be a hard but ultimately vital lesson. We were undone by an Everton team playing in a Hodgson style.

Now our creative players are back and looking dangerous doesn’t mean we must change to an all out possession based game. We need to continue to be good at what has got us where we are. Being organised and solid. That means Doucoure and not Hughes as starters, then allowing Eze and Olise the space on breakaways to work some magic.

I think that’s what we must expect.

For the avoidance of doubt any comments in response to a previous post are directed to its ideas and not at any, or all, posters personally.