Hughes started well for us but has struggled a bit recently. I still think he is / will be a decent player for us, just needs time to adjust to the level.
The main issue for me is our full-backs looked flawed positionally / tactically. I think this is why Hughes has dropped off a bit, Earl struggled a bit defensively when he came in and Fisher doesn’t look close to as solid as last season. AN seemed to have pushed them up the pitch this season, as part of the plan to play through teams and break them down, because we can’t go long. It isn’t working though and the full backs look confused as to there role. They also get very little protection.
The problem also lies with our recruitment policy. Hughes may turn out very good eventually, but had no prior experience of this level. Right now he looks like a 250k player replacing a £4m one who was sold to a Premier League club. As I said, he may turn out great but recruiting like that will almost always weaken you in the short term. None of our signings other than Barker (couple of games on loan at Rotherham) had any prior Championship experience.