Isaac Hughes

Haven't read the game thread but I just wanted to give a shout out the performance by Hughes yesterday, I thought he was really good & picked up the assist for Kosta's goal.

He's been good every time he's got a chance, was unfortunate he got injured last season. 

Likewise, I thought he was excellent. What stuck out was his determination and speed getting back in cover, when they broke.

I reckon in a straight sprint, he would be up there with Kosta.

His tracking back to give Olu options when we played back to him was similarly impressive. He was confident on the ball, not scared of a tackle and maybe already our best player aerially. 

He's slipped straight into the best XI without missing a beat and I really think at the end of this season we'll be bemoaning Hughes being signed overseas the same way Surman was last year.

Is this is second nomination for player of the month? Wonder if we might get any offers for him in the off season?

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Checking back through the archives, I was correct, he was also nominated in January.

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He's been consistently good. 

Out of all the kiwi players in the world at the moment, is this guy the most unluckiest not to be capped?

Good question... Stanger maybe?? Starts in the SPL historically would have made you a shoe in.

If you consider that Hughes and Tuiloma (who is capped) play alongside each other for the Nix it allows a comparison of their relative strengths and weaknesses.  At his youngish age Hughes already looks a leadership material and this season has shown that he has learned from his lapses in previous seasons including unfortunate oggies.  Tuiloma has probably a physical advantage over Hughes and is not necessarily slower than Hughes.  Seems to be still finding his feet in the Nix team despite already scoring some well taken goals.  

possibly, represented NZ at U23, still can for another year.
he'd give Tuiloma a run for his money defensively, and has decent leadership ability. On attack I'm not sure, only 4 goals in 50 caps for the Nix. 

The question is will he Cannavaro past either Bindon or Surman at some point. 

My idea of a CB is someone who can tackle, head and welly the ball away. Blocks, last ditch tackles, not giving an inch to the dazzling dribbler, not scared to leave one on someone. 

They weren’t as crazy as goalkeepers, but they had to be a commanding presence and intimidating to opposition attackers and to teammates ahead to keep their work rate up. Danny Hay, Ryan Nelsen Steven Taylor etc etc. Bravery was mentioned. 

Hughes, Kelly-Heald , Wootton and others introduced me to the idea that the CB could be a guy quietly and reliably taking care of problems and calming a situation. Intercept, tackle, control, maintain possession, don’t panic and launch attack quickly or slowly, long or short, wide or centrally as tactics and game situation guided. 

Ball winners (unless it’s being won consistently higher up) and playmakers. Pacesetters. 

I’ve been a Hughes fan for ages. And he’s added some goal scoring to his range too. And Tuiloma is a good chance for him to learn too. Man, loved the way Bill took so much responsibility at AAMI last week.

Looking forward to the day we blow Auckland out of the water by 5 goals. Hopefully there’ll be a clean sheet involved and these two will have their names on it.

Would rather he went to the World Cup than bloody Smith