Will Hughes in Thorne's position?

[SlimyLimey]

Can Will Hughes fill the position left by George Thorne? Or is this a waste of his talent?

[blackandwhite56]

Not for me. Wasted there and when he played there for Clough he just wasn't effective enough.
His tackling ain't great either.

[Toggles]

Not for me. Wasted there and when he played there for Clough he just wasn't effective enough.
His tackling ain't great either.

But... at least he would start. There is a possibility that Bryson and Hendrick will get the forward CM roles, so the question is, would we rather an out of position Hughes as opposed to no Hughes at all?

He has the class of Thorne, and doesn't shirk a challenge, though so far he has shown he can goes in a bit...Scholesesque!

It would do him no harm, long term, to learn the position, but would Eustace offer us more security?

Maybe Hughes when we feel we can really go at teams, and Eustace when we feel we need more caution?

[SheffRam]

Not for me. Wasted there and when he played there for Clough he just wasn't effective enough.
His tackling ain't great either.

On the contrary I think Hughes times his tackles very well and gets his foot in when needed. Not a ball winner as such but effective enough for me. Question is does he have the strength required for that role?

[ramwriter]

I agree and think Hughes is becoming an increasingly effective tackler. He's tenacious and rarely gives up. By all accounts he's filled out a bit since last season, too, which can do no harm. I watched him in the role at Burton in the second half, and the team certainly seemed to tick better than with Eustace there, although the first half was a bit disjointed thanks to the formation changes.

[D_D]

I think he could potentially become a very good player there, as Scholes did. A lot depends on whether Hendrick and Bryson have to tactical discipline to give Will Cover if he does want to occasionally push on, as he did vs. Burton with a lovely dribble.

I think of games last season where Derby were pushing for a goal second half, or they needed urgency after a poor first half. Hughes played very prominent games in said matches, by coming deep for the ball, and keeping us ticking. I think he can do that very effectively, and I'd certainly like to see him given to chance to show what he can do in the position.

[SlimyLimey]

Wouldn't it be something if he fit in the position perfectly & George Thorne had to fight for a place on the team upon his return.

[yamyamram]

I just have my doubts about Will's tackling in such an important position. As someone posted he can be a bit 'Scholes' & give free kicks away. In DM that's more than likely going to be in front of goal. I'm a big fan of Hughes & would like to see him in starting line up so if that's the only position then let's give him a go. Maybe more support from Keogh & Bucko & he'd be ok.

[ellafella]

Will hughes is not a DM. He is too creative to be the hod carrier; his best role is advanced midfield, knitting patterns with Bryson.

[Toggles]

Will hughes is not a DM. He is too creative to be the hod carrier; his best role is advanced midfield, knitting patterns with Bryson.

DM's can be a creative influence tho. Think Deco, Pirlo. If good enough they can be the metronome a team turns around. I think Thorne's edge over Eustace was that he could pick and play a quality pass, and provide a goal threat too.

I agree that Will is def more of an attacking mid, but in time he could become a great deep playmaker.