Do any of you Toon fans have any idea why Hugo wasn't even on the bench tonight? He has now not dressed for two of the last three games, including the last two EPL games. First, Robson wastes him on the left wing and now he doesn't even give him a chance to dress. What is going on?
That's a very good question, Selecao2002. I think that SBR thought he could turn Viana in a wide left player when Hughie's preferred position was in the middle. I am hoping he gives him another shot in the team, in his favoured position in the middle. I'm also hoping he can be the creative man in the middle we seem to be lacking. We definitely spent enough on him to warrant some more chances.
It's not even a question of whether it is his preferred position or not. It is his ONLY position. He is a central attacking midfielder with all of the requisite skills. He is not fast and athletic enough to play on the left wing, and he is certainly not strong enough or a good enough tackler to be a defensive midfielder. I am just very surprised that Bobby wouldn't let this kid learn as he goes -- similar to what he is doing with Jenas -- in the central midfield. There has to be more to the story.
Not having known much about Viana before we bought him, I didn't know that his only position was as an attacking midfielder. Of course we can only speculate about what really is going on, and unfortunately Bobby does seem to bench people for various reasons, regardless if they produce on the pitch or not(Solano in particular here). I really do hope that Robson gives him time in the middle and I hope that Hugo will put in some great displays.