Midfield Musketeer Down.

I think we all accept that we have not lost the strongest of our quintessential quartet. Frecktanian plays on as does crunching Captain Kerr and the Pyrotechnic lady-killer that is A-Moo! Seriously though every revolution has casualties. Hughes time at the Sin Siro has been played, albeit in fits and starts. As Hughes takes the High Road over Steep Hill, we have mixed feelings of course. Erm stop ordering trebles at the back.

As soon as he was expected to track back whilst dealing with heavy pitches the trusty left peg hibernated. Then as the pitches healed and the playoffs approached he was back to his best. Diplomatically put the defensive duties were a bit of a burden. Doubtless Jeff will feel life will get easier, for the Championship pitches are very much a case of the grass is greener on the other side. Yet that is only part of it. Like Amoo, for Hughes to bloom he needs the backing of others. Two staunch ball winners to supply him and a very tolerant full back and he will shine. However he will need to earn the respect of others if he wants that. When £500 plus win bonuses are floating about no one wastes a hard won ball on a dud.

To be fare he`s young So it is not surprising then that at this stage of his career and the Dynasty of the two Johns, its good news all round. Perhaps after Larne`s 12.5% cut the £262,500 and the Morgan Gritton and Mayo savings we can go for it. Well we have a war chest of 450 – 500k anyway. Before we expect JD to bathe the back pages with bids, we need to look at the typical transfer makeup. A signing on fee 2-3 years budgetary commitment and whats left can go on a transfer. So other than maybe 75-100 going on fees, the rest will disappear into signing on fees and wages.

Mind you JD can get to work now this chapter has concluded. A tough pacey left midfielder is one possibility as is a no nonsense wing back. For if Kerr was joined by a tough central midfielder, Frecks could play an advanced roll with Amoo playing as a central playmaker. With the ball at his feet Amoo is after all one of the greatest creators we have seen for some time. Two of our three against The Gas were borne of his invention. Our demise should not see us criticise, a footballer of the highest order. Hoddle had Roberts, Beckham Keen, and Kerr with a young Frecktanian would often be overrun as two Luxury players went missing after Christmas.

So cheers Jeff and good luck! Now lets get some footballing footballers in ….??? the Sin Siro Salivates!