FulltimeWum
Well-Known Member
Similar beginnings, different endings.
What was the difference?
What was the difference?
Stephen Hughes and Ben Sheaf (2 Viewers)
- Thread starter FulltimeWum
- Start date
Seaside-Skyblue
Well-Known Member
Never thought about this but there are definite similarities. I think the diff is that Sheaf is with us on a trajectory upwards whereas Hughes was playing for us on the cusp of if not in the middle of a overall club decline so I think the environment will play a big part in Sheaf developing further than Hughes.
Sent from my SM-A908B using Tapatalk
Sent from my SM-A908B using Tapatalk
SlowerThanPlatt
Well-Known Member
Hughes was a Premier League winner at 21! Alright, only made fleeting appearances but still…
Terry_dactyl
Well-Known Member
My abiding memory of Hughes is watching him at Ninian Park, absolutely pissing himself when Richard Duffy was getting abused by Cardiff fans for being a ‘Jack bastard’ etc etc.
Sheaf would never do that.
Sheaf would never do that.
Esoterica
Well-Known Member
Because that would involve smiling, and we all know Sheaf doesn't do that.
Terry_dactyl
Well-Known Member
Exactly!
Razzle Dazzle Dean Gordon
Well-Known Member
He was smiling whilst still at Arsenal. I wonder how Sheaf would get on in goal? Maybe when Dabo takes his place at CDM we will find out.
Legia Sky Blue
Well-Known Member
As pointed out, Hughes career was on its way down when he joined us. He had an excellent first season but was generally poor after that. I had the impression that having such a good start to his career had made him a little complacent, which led to him not living up to his early promise and fulfilling the talent he had shown. The difference with Sheaf is that he didn't make it at Arsenal, and still has to prove himself, but his best is (hopefully) yet to come.
fernandopartridge
Well-Known Member
Hughes was a decent player, for some reason much derided but he was much better than the more popular Doyle
fatso
Well-Known Member
Hughes was here when we were a struggling club.
Sheaf came in when we were on the up.
The whole ethos of the club is different today, and hopefully Sheaf will continue to improve under MR, im confident he will end up a far better player for us than Stephen Hughes was.
Sheaf came in when we were on the up.
The whole ethos of the club is different today, and hopefully Sheaf will continue to improve under MR, im confident he will end up a far better player for us than Stephen Hughes was.
Last edited:
Legia Sky Blue
Well-Known Member
He was a better player technically, but he was less effective and less influential. He was derided because he patently didn't make best use of his obvious ability. His goals return of 2 in his last 3 seasons with us was frankly woeful. Doyle can look back on his career of 700 games or so knowing that he made the most of the ability he had, whereas Hughes career of only 200 games does not reflect the ability he had or the promise he showed.
D
Deleted member 5849
Guest
Hughes had some bad injuries before us, didn't help.
Anyway, I always thought he was unfairly criticised. Central midfield was the least of our worries through those years!
johnwillomagic
Well-Known Member
Hughes looking at career overall is currently streets ahead of Sheaf in terms of time playing at the top level in premier league with Arsenal, Everton & Fulham it's not even close currently!
However hopefully Sheaf has great potential ahead of him though and it is with us,
However hopefully Sheaf has great potential ahead of him though and it is with us,
SlowerThanPlatt
Well-Known Member
Not quite, we finished 8th our highest position since relegation his second season here, first season at the Ricoh
SlowerThanPlatt
Well-Known Member
There was a lot of hype when he was coming through at Arsenal, footballers (and people in general) don’t fulfil their potential /kick on for various reasons. Not being able to dislodge Viera and Petit isn’t a bad one!
Offhegoes
Well-Known Member
Bloody hell, Stephen Hughes. Everything that was wrong with our club for many years were players like him. Granted, he had a good 1st season, but once he got his long term deal, did the bare minimum. Square ball, neat and tidy, no adventure to his game or urgency. His partnership with Doyle was once called the Axis of Evil by our own fans! Doyle at least tried, and put a boot in. Not sure Hughes even played again once he left us.
Finham
Well-Known Member
This is a good read; ToffeeWeb's Everton Past-Player Profile: Stephen Hughes
He had bad injuries and also as that explains, a bit of attitude. Either way, he was already a totally different player by the time he joined us to the one at Arsenal and early Everton.
I like this at the bottom of that link:
"He began brightly, then cracked a kneecap. His form suffered – pace was never his strongest suit – and he felt unsettled. "I enjoyed my time there but it was difficult. No one cared when I walked around London, but Liverpool was a goldfish bowl. You'd be having dinner with your girlfriend and someone would come up and start going on about the 'red shite'." "
Maybe he just wanted a quiet life? It's Cov, innit.
He had bad injuries and also as that explains, a bit of attitude. Either way, he was already a totally different player by the time he joined us to the one at Arsenal and early Everton.
I like this at the bottom of that link:
"He began brightly, then cracked a kneecap. His form suffered – pace was never his strongest suit – and he felt unsettled. "I enjoyed my time there but it was difficult. No one cared when I walked around London, but Liverpool was a goldfish bowl. You'd be having dinner with your girlfriend and someone would come up and start going on about the 'red shite'." "
Maybe he just wanted a quiet life? It's Cov, innit.
Finham
Well-Known Member
Season with Walsall (2 goals!) but then retired, but he was almost 33.
David O'Day
Well-Known Member
good old sideways stephen
Warwickhunt
Well-Known Member
I believe Sheaf will make City a lot of money if we ever sell him!