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Aaron Hughes and NI ( merged )


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The Treasurer

I think people are missing an important point.

Ignoring the N.I situation for a moment, if he is fit for Sunday then it would allow Souttar to be moved into Defensive mid role to give us much needed strength in that department.

 

 

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32 minutes ago, Harry Potter said:

If he does not play on sunday then plays for his country this thread will go on meltdown, doubt it will happen

though.

How many fans really care if he plays or not? He is not a big miss compared to the missing midfield and mythical left back. 

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5 minutes ago, The Treasurer said:

I think people are missing an important point.

Ignoring the N.I situation for a moment, if he is fit for Sunday then it would allow Souttar to be moved into Defensive mid role to give us much needed strength in that department.

 

 

If he excelled in that position with United we wouldn't have got him cheaply. As we have no realistic (including geriatric Irishmen) cover we must stick with the hope that Soutar can eradicate his error rate by getting more experience at the back.

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Howdy Doody Jambo
52 minutes ago, The Treasurer said:

I think people are missing an important point.

Ignoring the N.I situation for a moment, if he is fit for Sunday then it would allow Souttar to be moved into Defensive mid role to give us much needed strength in that department.

 

 

Souttar is a centre half we should play players in their proper positions, Killie will come to sit in we need to break them down, we don't really need a holding defensive centre midfielder more of the creative type 

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On 01/11/2017 at 04:01, Bozi said:

What a minute, let me get this right....just so I am clear! 

 

A guy who played in 455 games in the English premier league which is awash with money. Played in the Australian league which offers good money and played in the Indian super league that pays stupid wages. 

 

This same guy is "topping up his pension".... At Hearts? 

 

Look I can see the sense in being critical of his fitness record but  he could probably pay the For  loan to Ms Budge himself 

 

Topping up his pension?FFS 

 

He couldn't get a game for Melbourne City. I also think he isn't good enough for a Hearts either...Norn Iron stalwart though, put him in for the banter I guess.

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8 minutes ago, mayfield said:

 

He couldn't get a game for Melbourne City. I also think he isn't good enough for a Hearts either...Norn Iron stalwart though, put him in for the banter I guess.

That's not the point I was making, whether he is good enough or not is down to opinion.

 

 

The claim that he is "topping up his pension"  is ridiculous, not just because we are hardly throwing wads of cash at him 

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Just now, Bozi said:

That's not the point I was making, whether he is good enough or not is down to opinion.

 

 

The claim that he is "topping up his pension"  is ridiculous, not just because we are hardly throwing wads of cash at him 

 

Agree mate, he's made his Money.

 

(you'd think!)

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3 hours ago, Bozi said:

That's not the point I was making, whether he is good enough or not is down to opinion.

 

 

The claim that he is "topping up his pension"  is ridiculous, not just because we are hardly throwing wads of cash at him 

 

He is topping up his fitness.

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42 minutes ago, jkbam said:

After limited appearances due to injury since we signed him, should never have got a year extension.

 

This!

 

What happened to Levein's master plan that we would not sign players who did not have a sell on value?

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12 hours ago, Dayman said:

If he's fit by the northern Ireland game then o Neill can do whatever he likes. He doesn't need to prove his fitness by platomg for us he has medical staff to do that.  He owes absolutely nothing to us on the play off dates. If he's directed by our game he will play. If he's fit by their game he'll play. 

 

What does that mean?

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16 hours ago, The Treasurer said:

I think people are missing an important point.

Ignoring the N.I situation for a moment, if he is fit for Sunday then it would allow Souttar to be moved into Defensive mid role to give us much needed strength in that department.

 

Been saying this for weeks.

 

If Hughes can play it helps us immensely, not because he's some superstar but because it means Souttar can move to the middle of a back three, the fullbacks become wingbacks and get more cover, and we get more spine up the middle of the field.  Oh, and Souttar is no longer responsible for defending the back post on corners, where he's been burned repeatedly.

 

We'll still be in dire need of a functional left back and a decent experienced hand in CM but it's still a big step in the right direction.

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12 hours ago, Thomaso said:

 

This!

 

What happened to Levein's master plan that we would not sign players who did not have a sell on value?

Bump. 

 

Farcical situation to be in. I've nothing against Hughes  but little by little we're coming to understand just what is going on in the playing side. 

 

Does he actually live in/around Edinburgh  -  fitness sessions in Manchester ? 

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Winston Ingram
8 hours ago, NANOJAMBO said:

Bump. 

 

Farcical situation to be in. I've nothing against Hughes  but little by little we're coming to understand just what is going on in the playing side. 

 

Does he actually live in/around Edinburgh  -  fitness sessions in Manchester ? 

 

Lives in Stockbridge. Went to Manchester to attempt to sure calf problem which Hearts were having no joy with (Northern Ireland may even have paid for this). Goes back to my point on another thread about our medical staff's apparent inability to deal with recurring injury issues.

 

Don't really see the Northern Ireland issue to be honest. They have hardly any players, they will always name him in squad if even outside chance of being fit. He doesn't have history of playing for them and not us does he? 

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The Treasurer
3 hours ago, Winston Ingram said:

 

Lives in Stockbridge. Went to Manchester to attempt to sure calf problem which Hearts were having no joy with (Northern Ireland may even have paid for this). Goes back to my point on another thread about our medical staff's apparent inability to deal with recurring injury issues.

 

Don't really see the Northern Ireland issue to be honest. They have hardly any players, they will always name him in squad if even outside chance of being fit. He doesn't have history of playing for them and not us does he? 

Picking up on your point re our medical staff.

They seem incapable of curing even the most simple of injuries.

With the facilities they have available, questions really need to be asked.

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8 minutes ago, The Treasurer said:

Picking up on your point re our medical staff.

They seem incapable of curing even the most simple of injuries.

With the facilities they have available, questions really need to be asked.

What evidence is there for that? To be fair you would expect Man City to have better facilities and medical resources than we have. He is also their ‘asset’. 

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4 hours ago, Winston Ingram said:

 

Lives in Stockbridge. Went to Manchester to attempt to sure calf problem which Hearts were having no joy with (Northern Ireland may even have paid for this). Goes back to my point on another thread about our medical staff's apparent inability to deal with recurring injury issues.

 

Don't really see the Northern Ireland issue to be honest. They have hardly any players, they will always name him in squad if even outside chance of being fit. He doesn't have history of playing for them and not us does he? 

 

Is that fact or pure speculation Winston?

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4 minutes ago, wavydavy said:

 

Eh ? You've lost me there. 

“He’s going to see a specialist because there must be some underlying problem that we can’t seem to get to the bottom of,” explained the Hearts manager Craig Levein.

 

“He’s been down to Man City, they’ve had a look at him and they can’t find anything either. Hopefully a specialist can provide some clarity on exactly what the problem is.

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8 minutes ago, BigAlim said:

“He’s going to see a specialist because there must be some underlying problem that we can’t seem to get to the bottom of,” explained the Hearts manager Craig Levein.

 

“He’s been down to Man City, they’ve had a look at him and they can’t find anything either. Hopefully a specialist can provide some clarity on exactly what the problem is.

 

Yes I know that it was me that posted the link to the article. I understood the article fine but not your comments.

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10 minutes ago, BigAlim said:

“He’s going to see a specialist because there must be some underlying problem that we can’t seem to get to the bottom of,” explained the Hearts manager Craig Levein.

 

“He’s been down to Man City, they’ve had a look at him and they can’t find anything either. Hopefully a specialist can provide some clarity on exactly what the problem is.

 

Is the "specialist" a psychiatrist??

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2 hours ago, The Treasurer said:

Picking up on your point re our medical staff.

They seem incapable of curing even the most simple of injuries.

With the facilities they have available, questions really need to be asked.

 

I have a really hard time seeing that.

 

In the instances of Hughes and Smith-Brown, it's not as though they've had an injury the club staff couldn't figure out, and sent them down to England only to have them say, "simples, it's a sprained garglebaster" or some such. In both cases, club staff were struggling a bit, they went to see specialists who said, "yes, that's pretty puzzling, we're not sure either."

 

Which seems not only the proper course of action but also a reflection that the club's physios were stumped only because it was a really tough problem to figure out.

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3 hours ago, BigAlim said:

“He’s going to see a specialist because there must be some underlying problem that we can’t seem to get to the bottom of,” explained the Hearts manager Craig Levein.

 

“He’s been down to Man City, they’ve had a look at him and they can’t find anything either. Hopefully a specialist can provide some clarity on exactly what the problem is.

My mate injured his knee in his youth. He couldn't bend it for a month. His leg was completely straight. He was playing pro at the time at a good Scottish team so had a good physios etc. It took them, specialists etc a month to find out in the tackle that injured his knee he also punched a nerve in his back and that was causing the knee issue. He had an Injury but they couldn't see anything wrong with him. My mate could of been winding us up as could ask brown but I assume he's not and the source of his pain will be found. 

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2 minutes ago, Dayman said:

My mate injured his knee in his youth. He couldn't bend it for a month. His leg was completely straight. He was playing pro at the time at a good Scottish team so had a good physios etc. It took them, specialists etc a month to find out in the tackle that injured his knee he also punched a nerve in his back and that was causing the knee issue. He had an Injury but they couldn't see anything wrong with him. My mate could of been winding us up as could ask brown but I assume he's not and the source of his pain will be found. 

 

Colin Cameron had a stomach muscle issue I think it was and couldn't train much although he could play. They spend months and months trying to find what was wrong and eventually some specialist I think it was in France said his problem was a malalignment of his jaw and perscribed a brace/gumshield which he wore and it solved the problem.

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15 minutes ago, wavydavy said:

 

Colin Cameron had a stomach muscle issue I think it was and couldn't train much although he could play. They spend months and months trying to find what was wrong and eventually some specialist I think it was in France said his problem was a malalignment of his jaw and perscribed a brace/gumshield which he wore and it solved the problem.

Never knew that one! Mental. It's crazy how connected your body is. 

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Suggestions in the media that he will start tonight. Surely this is a nonsense if the case 

 

I like Hughes, but surely this is ridiculous if he plays tonight considering to scattergun approach we've taken to filling defensive berths in the last few weeks 

 

Beginning to look more and more as though he is with us merely to be registered to a club in order to play for Northern Ireland 

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11 minutes ago, Spencer said:

Suggestions in the media that he will start tonight. Surely this is a nonsense if the case 

 

I like Hughes, but surely this is ridiculous if he plays tonight considering to scattergun approach we've taken to filling defensive berths in the last few weeks 

 

Beginning to look more and more as though he is with us merely to be registered to a club in order to play for Northern Ireland 

 

If he plays tonight, it confirms to me that he's at it.

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10 minutes ago, Spencer said:

Suggestions in the media that he will start tonight. Surely this is a nonsense if the case 

 

I like Hughes, but surely this is ridiculous if he plays tonight considering to scattergun approach we've taken to filling defensive berths in the last few weeks 

 

Beginning to look more and more as though he is with us merely to be registered to a club in order to play for Northern Ireland 

Have to agree with you here. Played a handful of games for us but miraculously seems to be fit enough to be included in N.I. Squads and actually play for them.  Beginning to think the club are being taken a loan of by him.

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No problem if he plays either today or Sunday, then comes back and plays for us.  The problem will be if he comes back and is unfit to play for us. If so the club should be looking to cancel his conteact

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48 minutes ago, Deevers said:

Have to agree with you here. Played a handful of games for us but miraculously seems to be fit enough to be included in N.I. Squads and actually play for them.  Beginning to think the club are being taken a loan of by him.

I like him as a player.  I think he's a very good defender. Looks increasingly as he is more focused on getting fit for country rather than club 

 

Sadly he is another signing which has backfired as we really need to be fit given shortage of central defenders in the squad 

 

Doesn't bear thinking about to have Berra out for even a single game

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Allowayjambo1874

If a player gets injured playing for his national team does his club side not get compensated via the national teams insurance company? If so bizarrely if he plays for Northern Ireland and comes back injured again we might be better off financially? However would still be a massive piss take.

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56 minutes ago, XB52 said:

No problem if he plays either today or Sunday, then comes back and plays for us.  The problem will be if he comes back and is unfit to play for us. If so the club should be looking to cancel his conteact

 

This.

 

I suspect he will not play tonight but will ply in the second leg. Levein should be telling O'Neill he isn't fit to play any part in the play-offs.

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1 hour ago, Spencer said:

Suggestions in the media that he will start tonight. Surely this is a nonsense if the case 

 

I like Hughes, but surely this is ridiculous if he plays tonight considering to scattergun approach we've taken to filling defensive berths in the last few weeks 

 

Beginning to look more and more as though he is with us merely to be registered to a club in order to play for Northern Ireland 

I agree. We deserve answers from the club if that happens. 

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Dr Ian Malcolm

If he's asked to play and he's physically able to get on the pitch I wouldn't blame him for doing so in the circumstances. Huge game, last chance of a World Cup, appearance record etc. I would be asking wtf Michael O'Neill and Austin MacPhee are playing at if he does play and still isn't fit afterwards.

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2 hours ago, Spencer said:

Suggestions in the media that he will start tonight. Surely this is a nonsense if the case 

 

I like Hughes, but surely this is ridiculous if he plays tonight considering to scattergun approach we've taken to filling defensive berths in the last few weeks 

 

Beginning to look more and more as though he is with us merely to be registered to a club in order to play for Northern Ireland 

 

The bottom line it was ridiculous that we gave a contract to a now 38 year old injury prone defender!

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Tokyo Drifter

He hardly played last season and will hardly play this season. I was gobsmacked that we extended his contract. On top of that, I haven't been overly impressed by him in any of the few games he has played.

 

Bring back Liam Smith. We've forgiven him for the Dundee game. Right?

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20 minutes ago, Thomaso said:

 

The bottom line it was ridiculous that we gave a contract to a now 38 year old injury prone defender!

Probably. Although in fairness I can see why we took the chance

 

I think he's a class act but fitness has been a real issue. 

 

I'm critical of many recruitment decisions we have made but I can see why they took a gamble on Hughes.

 

Quality is quality after all 

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7 minutes ago, Spencer said:

Probably. Although in fairness I can see why we took the chance

 

I think he's a class act but fitness has been a real issue. 

 

I'm critical of many recruitment decisions we have made but I can see why they took a gamble on Hughes.

 

Quality is quality after all 

 

Indeed, however you cannot expect a 38 year old injury prone defender to have the same quality he had a few years ago.  Everybody has a sell by date and I think Hughes had passed it.

 

TBH he has never really impressed me - he is not a leader on the park, and does little to talk our young defenders through the game.  He has played a couple of good games and some very poor ones - all in all another very poor signing.

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11 minutes ago, heartsfc_fan said:

Age or not, he should be playing for us instead of Souttar on his current form.

 

chance would be a fine thing

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13 minutes ago, Thomaso said:

 

Indeed, however you cannot expect a 38 year old injury prone defender to have the same quality he had a few years ago.  Everybody has a sell by date and I think Hughes had passed it.

 

TBH he has never really impressed me - he is not a leader on the park, and does little to talk our young defenders through the game.  He has played a couple of good games and some very poor ones - all in all another very poor signing.

He certainly isn't vocal but he is positionally very good. He cruised through that game against Aberdeen 

 

Clearly when he is fit the preference is to play 3 at the back. The squad composition formed under Cathro was very much with a back 3 in mind. To that end, I'm not sure why we haven't persisted with a 3 and played Nowak when Hughes has been unavailable 

 

Sticking to a specific formation would probably have helped us this season regardless of the lack of qaluality 

 

Certainly would have been better than using various young players out of position 

 

I actually though Grzelak played reasonably well on the left against Aberdeen with a back 3 behind him 

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