Will Hughes
With summer signing George Thorne sidelined for up to 9 months with an anterior cruciate ligament injury, Head Coach Steve McClaren was stuck with the dilemma of having to fill the holding midfielder role that worked so well for the team last season. Only John Eustace had the experience, but questions were raised regarding his match fitness and whether he had the ability to handle 46 90-minute matches at this level.
Ultimately, the baton fell to 19-year-old Will Hughes who performed the role perfectly. He was fast, skillful and, surprisingly for Hughes, strong. No matter how large the player coming at him, Hughes would get his body in front and pulled off some outstanding tackles against the Millers.
Hughes’ holding position enabled fellow midfielders Craig Bryson and Jeff Hendrick to push forward without compromising the solidity of the Rams’ midfield, eventually culminating in Hendrick scoring Derby’s first goal of the season. Despite being substituted in the 53rd minute with a neck injury, Hughes’ performance certainly helped lay to rest any lingering fears over a gap in midfield that many Derby fans held.
