Opinion: Mark Hughes deserves respect

With his thunder thighs, trademark spectacular volleys, brute strength and, at times, over-the-top aggression, the Welshman was a focal point of the attack. Yes, he would go on long scoring streaks (sometimes enough to land personal seasonal awards) and then have occasional barren spells in front of goal. Yes, he did leave for Barcelona in 1986 – which seemed rare at the time, that somebody would actively seek to further his career elsewhere.

Yes, the red mist did descend sometimes and he would get into trouble with referees (Sheffield United away in 1994 springs to mind, when I recall one of our excellent fanzines suggesting the kick at David Tuttle's rear was an act even a schoolboy would…