[Albion] Jayson Molumby

[keaton]

Firstly, Hughton is a legend. I love the guy.

That said the facts speak for themselves. Once we got to the Premier League we became increasingly defensive and unwilling to take any risks whatsoever.

How many young players broke into the team in the Hughton PL era? And if you say, “well we didn’t have anyone?” We’ll never know will we. There’s a reason why Uncle Tony wanted to change.

I agree with all that you wrote. I think Hughton would have picked youngsters if they were ready and needed but he was also forced to some extent to try and play our signings (Anyone, Locadia, Ali J) into form

 

[ac gull]

The irony is in CH last season as soon as we went a bit more offensive into 4-3-3 the results dried up; bet CH wishes he stuck to defence first approach

Yesterday was a classic defence first play on the break game and a thoroughly deserved win

 

[Whitechapel]

No, I don't think that's a fair comment at all. It's not like Hughton had a whole host of talented young players ready to play in the team who simply didn't. Look at Forster-Caskey, Hunt and Tilley's careers for a justification of why they didn't play more for Hughton. If they'd been better players, they would have. I think the timing of replacing Hughton was crucial, we just started having the youngsters ready to start making an impact in the team and we needed a manager with a track record of blooding the younger players. Does anyone really think that Hughton wouldn't have played Ben White if he were still here this season?

No, I agree to an extent. Which is why I made sure to point out that it also shows that the youth academy has came on leaps and bounds too.

It's also worth noting though that 2 1/2 of those seasons were played at a lower level so a lot of them didn't need to be up to the same level they need to be now. Hughton also had numerous dead rubber games where he could have given youth players a chance, and as a rule he didn't take it. Tilley getting 1 minute off the bench on the final day of the season when we had nothing to play for v Boro being a prime example. I don't want this to come across as a hit piece against Hughton, but I think if he was still here White would be on the bench, there's no way Hughton would have ever split up the Dunk/Duffy partnership, and I don't think Stephens would have been sold which gives Alzate & Molumby chances.

The rise in youth players isn't entirely down to Potter, no. But I think it would be disingenuous to pretend he hasn't helped.

 

[Medwayseagull]

I agree with all that you wrote. I think Hughton would have picked youngsters if they were ready and needed but he was also forced to some extent to try and play our signings (Anyone, Locadia, Ali J) into form

I assume " anyone" is a freudian slip.