Given the time CH had on arrival last June, and Chester afterwards, how could

he have had time to formulate a clear vision to move the team forward, and implement everything that needed doing within his first nine months?

His brief on arrival was to ensure Premier League football was retained. His pressing need last season was to strengthen our defence, which he achieved with Bassong, Turner and Garrido... all improvements on what we had before. It was unfortunate that due to numerous injuries, not least with Ruddy, that with no consistent back four, we appeared to be as leaky as the previous season. With a little more luck on fitness, and possibly further defensive strengthening, we'll look more solid.

Clearly there were issues up front, but as we'd had success with our attacking nature the previous season, there was perhaps an assumption that the forwards would provide again, and just an addition to provide competition would maintain a healthy return up top. However, and bearing in mind the financial constraints CH still had to work within, addressing the striking problem wasn't initially his priority pre-season. It became apparent by the January transfer window, however it's nigh on impossible for a club of our size and means to get the quality we wanted in at that time of the season.

Hughton's had a year to get to know the strength and weaknesses of his squad, and with the help of being debt free, increased financial muscle, and the chance to address the areas he couldn't realistically achieve in such a short space of time last season, he can now expand far beyond the "needs must" of last year.

Posted By: Jim Nasium on July 20th 2013 at 10:21:43

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