Portsmouth News 24/7Writer: pompeyrug 
Date:Friday October 26 2007
Time: 7:00AM
UK time is: 20:42:07
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Hughes ponders Pompey exit
Richard Hughes has told The News that he is considering his Pompey future - and a January departure is not out of the question, far from it: 'moving away in January is something I inevitably have to consider.
'I'm 28 years old, supposedly at the peak of my career and if I'm not playing football, what good am I to anybody or myself?
'It is a demoralising situation to be in when you're not playing.
'I'm not angry but I'm feeling what every player in my position would feel.
'So I'm just contemplating my future career at this time'.
He has been limited to just 3 starts this season - 2 in the league cup and the solitary league start - but he has not even been a part of a matchday squad since the Arsenal debacle almost 2 months back. Any hopes he might have had of returning in Sean Davis' absence were already dashed with him currently serving a suspension after his recent reserve sending off.
I really like the fella, I think he is a model professional who does not moan when he is not playing, he does not kick off and throw his toys out of the pram but I can understand why he would think about leaving - as he probably will not play much this season will he.
He knows his limitations and sticks too them, he does not try anything fancy he just comes in does what he has to and gets the job done. Although to be honest I still do think that he is a better footballer than he is sometimes given credit for.
The selfish part of me wants him to stay, but in all fairness to him and his career it probably would be best for him to leave and as much as I hate to say it, to be honest I would rather it would be him leaving than some others...
A loan move has been ruled out, so if he does leave this will be for good, there will be no coming back this time. He has fought back before when he looked surplus to requirements but the head is telling me something different to what the heart is saying this time - I do think his Pompey days are numbered.
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Your Comments
Go out on loan son, stop headbutting people in reserve matches, get your confidence back and then come to Fratton where you belong.
The Rabbi
While I've nothing but admiration for the way Hughsie performs when he does make it into the first team, it must be really hard on the guy having to play in the reserves at this point in his career.....I mean in effect we have a five man midfield and he's not even first sub after that...so you can see where he's coming from. Hope he stays, but with the real quality we have in the squad now he's always going to struggle to be a starter (except perhaps when the African Nations Cup comes around).
Tantona
Totally agree with both comments, I guess we are victems of of own success and expenditure, in that we have bolstered up our midfield with the likes of Muntari, Utaka and Diop now making it difficult for the likes of Hughes and also sad to say Taylor now finding it difficult to break into the team. As for results and for the club as a whole the strength in depth that we now have is awsome, but the writing is on the wall for both Hughes and Taylor going in January I fear.
blarmy
Hughsey has done a decent job over the years, and the goal in the cup against Liverpool was brilliant, but if he wants to play regularly he has to move on, although i feel it will be a move to the Championship rather then staying in the Premiership.
If he goes he will be remembered with great affection and always welcome back at Fratton.
Owenspompey
Yep, agree with a lot of the above. With a few injuries, ssuspension & ANC, he should get a few games in soon. He is great guy & a great squad player. However, he won't get into a top team on a regular basis so it's the Championship fodder.
storagematt
again all i can do is basically agree with what you fellas say... i would love to keep him, he is a great fella to have around and never lets us down but the further forward we go the less he will play and that isnt fair on him is it.
pompeyrug
i think taht he still could play at top level. i mean i wouldnt of said that griffin would be in the prem and he is at derby, and the same applys to o'brien! so i think he could play but i disagree on the people who say he will still get games im afraid.
PompeyGleamer
Gleamer is right Hughsey will not get many opportunities in the future. he is a dedicated professional and deserves a chance - elsewhere I'm afraid. Good luck to him
eastneydave
I heard Derby and Reading were interested in him.
NinjaTim
yes when this story came out last week i had been reading people on this site telling us how loyal and uncomplaining he had been, simply not good enough but discipline wise more reliable than doctor evil head but included
russellm
sorry Dave, i don't think Hughes will, by the way thanks for helping me out on my query
russellm
i think steve coppell will be looking at players like hughsey, someone who will roll their sleeves up and do and put in a workmans effort.
PompeyGleamer
Headbutting is intolerable. I am very disappointed in a player that anyone refers to as a model professional. Thatcher and Barton soon moved on after bad incidents. Hughes is not one that I would pencil in with this current squad. If he goes I won't miss him, but that said I wish him well. I would still like to have a good Jock in our squad though.
pompeygray
He'll go to a Wolves, Charlton, Watford type of club and try to get back into the premiership that way I'm sure - Don't think we'll see much of him between now and when he does go ... But I said that about Sean Davis in July ...
Chix
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