Was Hughton's Team Selection Right?

Last updated : 29 December 2009 By Footy Mad - Editor

And it would take a miserable bastard to say Chris Hughton is not doing a good job.

Sadly ... I am that miserable bastard!

I thought his team selection and tactics against Sheff Wed was lacking, and I felt the same last night as I left St James' Park.

Sheff Wed and Derby County are going to struggle to stay in the Division, and both dragged us down to their level.

Man-for-man they shouldn't even be on the same pitch, as we boast players of international class, against two sides that have 'ragamuffin' has-beens and never-will-be's.

But this weekend we have shown to be no better than the rabble down in the basement of the league.

Why? Because I honestly believe Hughton just picks eleven players and sends them out with the message "do your best lads".

Rather than keeping a system, then replacing players 'like-for-like', we see two target men used at away games, then one for a home game.

As for substitutions, I think Hughton picks random numbers to bring the players off.

He says he is a disappointed man after the two draws this weekend ... and so he should be.

Chris Hughton: "It's probably testament to where we are at this moment that we have a very disappointed and frustrated changing room in there.

"But the reality is the performance was a good performance and a performance that on most occasions will win us the game.

"It's another clean sheet and of course, it's a game we haven't lost at St James', so there are a lot of positives and certainly more positives at the moment than there are negatives.

"It's about both ends. We have managed to keep another clean sheet, which is again very pleasing, but of course, we didn't put one of our good chances away - and we did have good chances."