Popular culture in modern Britain is dominated by the search for a star elimination format. From the X factor, The Voice, Britain's got Freaks to the Apprentice, MasterChef and the Great British Bake Off is seems you can't move for such shows. There is even a sewing elimination show.
We can all choose to watch or to switch off and do something more interesting but there has been a similar search for a Star going on in South East London all season.
It has been clear to many fans that Charlton have lacked a dominant holding central midfield player all season but has Chris Powell noticed?
Well, much as some like to think that they know better than the five time England international and having spotted, in their wisdom, something he has missed and "needs to learn" it is pretty clear from his selection and transfer policy that Powell has been more than aware of what is missing. The problem has been finding the round peg for that very important round hole.
First off we went with last year's Centre Mids, Stephens and Hollands. But when that didn't work, waiting for their auditions were Bradley Pritchard and Dorien Dervite. Johnny Jackson moved inside but he's always been the attacking option not the holding player we were missing.
When all the in-house options appeared to have blown their chances the net was widened. Like many a failing TV show with ratings dropping new blood was brought in. Frimpong from Arsenal followed Razak off the successful Man City show but neither did the business. The less said about Eggert Jonsson's 15 minutes of fame the better.
The search continued but without anyone with the required X factor showing themselves. Mark Gower arrived from Upper Edmonton, via Swansea, while Florent Rouamba arrived from Upper Volta via Moldova. Could either be the next Susan Boyle? Both had good pedigrees but both were to be eclipsed before they even had a chance by a real star who had been with us all the time.
Forgotten by some, written off as too old, too injury prone or too slow by others, our knight in shining bandages had been with us all along, just hiding in the treatment room.
Step forward Andy Hughes.
He is old, he isn't fast but he is vastly experienced and he has a football brain. He knows where he should be on the pitch and 99% of the time that is exactly where he is. Not only has he been protecting the back four but, just as he did last season, he allows the rest of the midfield and crucially the full backs to bomb forward. Solly and Wiggins know that if they make that lung busting run Andy will simply slide across to cover them. And when the ref needs some "advice" about a decision Hughesy will be there. Watch the video of the two Barnsley sending offs if you're not sure. The rest of the time he will be shouting at and encouraging the younger players, which means all of them.
The biggest compliment you can pay Andy Hughes is that he is Chris Powell on the pitch. That's not a comparison of their playing styles or skills but of the way they are leaders and motivators who make a group of players more than the sum of the parts. The way they make 11 individuals a team. And a winning team at that.
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He's earnt another contract, at his age though I suspect he'll want a two year deal while I wonder if the club will offer him any more than one year and that might determine where he's playing next season. I think I read somewhere that his family is still up north and that too might influence where he plays his football next year.
Despite his form I'd like to see Rouamba and maybe Gower get a start before the end of the season. Even if he stays we need another player in that role.
The Barnsley game was the first time that I have seen Hughes this season and he is very much that round peg in the round hole, he also has the skill of usually passing the ball on the ground to another Charlton player, now that makes a huge difference.
I like Andy Hughes as a person and a player as it is, but he's been superb recently. Full credit where it's due
Priceless.
I meant more in the sense of how he encourages the young'uns along.
The comparison with Keith Jones is an accurate one, although Jones was a more accomplished player. Players like Hughes and Jones never hide and are always available for a simple pass. Most good sides have a player like this...think Sammy Lee at Liverpool...and it was what we have been missing at times this season.
Its not a lot, but it just brings a bit of unity to the club and allows the fans to see that taking place.
Players like Harriott sometimes need an arm round them and Hughes seems like the type of bloke to do that.
Top bloke from what ive seen of him.
Good piece.
I'm still to be fully convinced by Hughes. Like the guy, and clearly has something. Leeds can be a tough crowd and they seemed to respect him so he must have something. Whether he is a big reason for the recent turnaround, or it is a mere co-incidence, i really don't know.
Whether he is here for next season will depend a lot on our ambitions as a club for next season. There are better options out there for his role, if we stick with him it will be a short-term decision largely governed by lack of other finance i reckon.
Hughes is a significant part of the team playing well though as he knits it all together.