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Another
Great Piece Of Business By Newcastle United |
21st May 2005
"Just
what kind of logic is behind this sale? I shudder to think but for
the purposes of trying to understand why we would sanction such
a sale, other than not having a clue, lets explore some possibilities
shall we."
 I
shouldn't be shocked by the sudden and unexpected sale of Aaron Hughes
to Aston Villa because it's not as if springing surprises onto an
unsuspecting public is a new thing where our club is concerned, but
I am genuinely shocked at this bizarre transfer. Amazed even. Make
that astounded!
Every way I look at it, I can't get my head around the idea behind
selling a player who is not only a rarity at our club, in that he
is a model professional (on and off the pitch), but a player who just
two weeks into August of last year, was rewarded with an improved
and extended 2 year contract up to season 2006-07 no less.
And on top of that, at 25 years of age, a fully fledged member of
the "must have Premiership experience" criteria that Graeme
Souness has set himself having played 322 games for club and country,
and so versatile he can play at opposite flanks, in the centre and
even in central midfield, to sell him first when other less able players
remain, secondly without a direct replacement and thirdly for such
a paltry figure, well it highlights exactly what is wrong with our
club.
Nobody has a clue!
But hey, we already knew that. After all, this is the same club that
sanctioned the sale of Nobby Solano to the very same club for a similar
pitiful sum and without a replacement lined up. I could add every
major poor decision that has been made over the past few years but
I'm afraid we have a limit to how much web space we can use up so
I won't. Needless to say though, the sale of Hughes is just one of
many poor decisions in close proximity. What's next? Who's next?
And it is these kind of mindless decisions that worry fans and leave
us in a pickle. Far more than any result on the pitch. And with good
reason too when Andy O'Brien who isn't good enough in one position
never mind two gets rewarded for an awful season with a new contract
because he is a "proper" player (what the heck is Hughes
then?) and the same with a 33 year-old left-back. Two players who
have little or nothing to offer.
Hughes on the other hand has plenty to offer. With injuries at different
spells in the season across the whole back-four the Northern Ireland
Captain filled every single one of them and performed a job well done
on each occasion. What he lacked in talent, he more than made up for
it with a rare ability to play in a number of positions to a competent
standard.
Just what kind of logic is behind this sale? I shudder to think but
for the purposes of trying to understand why we would sanction such
a sale, other than not having a clue, lets explore some possibilities
shall we.
Hughes wanted out because of a lack of games?
Having played 36 times this term and with a club total of 278 games
under his belt, he hardly struggled to get a game did he? Indeed his
sheer versatility is what gets him a game. And based on the player's
actual quotes too, it is safe to say he didn't request a move so we
can rule that one out.
We simply couldn't turn down the bid?
With the deal rumored to be in the region of £1m, hardly. Next.
We are skint?
Not according to the Chairman and manager we aren't and having spent
a net ZERO over 18 months on transfers (£19m spent - £19.8m
recouped), there is honey in the pot for the fat B(astard) to dip
into, alright. How much remains to be seen.
We have a better replacement lined up?
Who, Lucas Neil? Gregory Vignal? Both mooted in recent weeks. Even
if we did have a better player lined up, will that player be able
to play right and left-back and in central defence like Hughes can?
And will that player cost under or the same fee we will receive for
the Irishman? That's the only way moving him on for a better replacement
would make sense. And even then, why not get rid of players who unlike
Hughes, aren't good enough and can't play across the whole back-four
like he most certainly can and often did - players like O'Brien?
We may well replace Hughes but getting rid of a good player to bring
in a good player, erm, well it's rather stupid isn't it? Aren't we
supposed to be strengthening? As it stands, his sale has weakened
4 positions. With Patrick Kluivert released, the impending sales of
Laurent Robert and Craig Bellamy and the uncertainty hanging over
Shay Given, Celestine Babayaro, Nicky Butt, Lee Bowyer and Kieron
Dyer, that's a hell of a lot of potential positions to fill and players
to replace.
We already have the players to do the job Hughes did?
We do indeed. Both Steven Taylor and Peter Ramage can play on the
flanks and are central defenders by trade where as O'Brien and Robbie
Elliott have played dual roles too. However it is unwise and potentially
damaging to play youngsters out of position or to force them to become
different types of players away from their natural position for any
sustained period and even more so to keep switching them back and
forth.
Over the years we have suffered as a consequence with the likes of
Steve Watson and more recently Kieron Dyer and Jermaine Jenas amongst
others all being played out of position and in each case, their own
individual game has been effected as a cause of this. And subsequently
the team has suffered. Taylor in particular is a hugely promising
player and needs nurtured in the correct way if he is to fulfil that
huge potential, not used and abused.
Regardless, Hughes is a better player than either O'Brien and Elliott
in every respect. Younger, quicker, more versatile and above all else,
defensively superior. Again, why not move them on and keep the better
player? Weren't Villa prepared to pay £3m for O'Brien a few
months back? They were certainly interested in him.
Again, no matter which way I look at it. It just doesn't make sense
and I can't for the life of me fathom just why the club would get
rid of a player like Aaron Hughes. Madness.
As for Villa, they certainly have the right nickname - Villans. They've
robbed us the bastards! They and and those running the comedy show
at St. James's.
Good luck Aaron at your new club, may you have all the success in
the world and thanks for all your efforts in the Black & White
shirt. Time will tell whether we will miss you on the field of play,
off it, we could certainly do with a few like you. Say hi to Nobby
for us and give Lee Hendrie and David O'Leary a kicking from us in
training. Oh and, remember, O'Brien is a great defender if he asks...
P.S If you can shed any new light on why we sold Hughes, feel free
to write in, because I'm damned if I know.
Write In... Did you enjoy this article?
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Thanks.
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