Aaron Hickey (1 Viewer)

Aaron Hickey

Sultan said:
I seem to remember logical discussions regarding Hickey as being the long term replacement for Rico Henry at left back (the position he plays in for Scotland), who I'm sure would have got a big money move if he had continued his form. Sadly both picked up long term injuries around the same time, and now both in the same position of will they every reach their full potential if they stay injury free and in peak fitness.
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He’s always played RB for Scotland as they have Robertson and Tierney too
 

Aaron Hickey

Freebee said:
We have Henry,Kayode and Hickey as dedicated full backs.We don't know whether the club see's KLP as a full back long term.KLP was fantastic covering there last season but the club may prefer him in a more foward position moving forward and Meghoma is not close imo.I'm not counting Ajer as he only plays there when we're down to bare bones and SVB is too important as a CB and he's not a FB.

So as it stands we have 3 FB's and Hickey is the only one that can play either side which means we're one injury away from having no cover.It makes no sense to me to try and shoehorn him into midfield when we have the capability to go out and buy a replacement for Norgaard.

Konak is the future DM and i reckon he will push on this season and Janelt is good cover for the 6 or 8 role.A quality oven ready DM is needed and Hickey isn't the answer imho.
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Though CDMs of Norgaard’s level or better are very rare. Possibly because it’s a very unglamorous role that’s hard to do well with the consistency in match and across a season that is needed. Which is probably why after spending £160m on Rice and Zubimendi Arsenal are going for CN and why Man City despite effectively infinite wealth didn’t simply go out and get a direct Rodri replacement in January.

In that context, if the club rates Konak/Yarmo to step up soon and Janelt to be capable, going out to buy a stop gap makes less sense. Are there oven ready £25-30m CDMs who are also better than we expect Konak to be in 2 years time?

Maybe saving that money to use what we have and to set up to play to their strengths makes more sense.
 

Aaron Hickey

AB said:
Though CDMs of Norgaard’s level or better are very rare. Possibly because it’s a very unglamorous role that’s hard to do well with the consistency in match and across a season that is needed. Which is probably why after spending £160m on Rice and Zubimendi Arsenal are going for CN and why Man City despite effectively infinite wealth didn’t simply go out and get a direct Rodri replacement in January.

In that context, if the club rates Konak/Yarmo to step up soon and Janelt to be capable, going out to buy a stop gap makes less sense. Are there oven ready £25-30m CDMs who are also better than we expect Konak to be in 2 years time?

Maybe saving that money to use what we have and to set up to play to their strengths makes more sense.
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I'm not sure why i forgot about YY tbh,a bit of a senior moment.
 
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Reactions: AB

Aaron Hickey

Looks good. Really, very, extremely good.

Think he’s a starter - so it’s a question of where on the pitch (RB, LB or even CM) and then who makes way.
 

Aaron Hickey

Looked great. Don’t think Kayode’s getting dropped anytime soon but love the idea of them both playing together with Hickey at left back if Rico doesn’t get back to his old self.
 

Aaron Hickey

Based on Kayode's 1st half performance and Hickey's 2nd half some tough decisions ahead for KA.
 

Aaron Hickey

You can tell he’s been hitting the gym hard, he looks absolutely massive now. Can’t wait to see him back starting in the Prem, really missed having him in the team. Looked sharp today and a fully fit Hickey is 100% a nailed on starter at RB.
 

Aaron Hickey

Is there a "turn into a midfielder" cheat code we could use?
 

Aaron Hickey

Thought he tucked into a 3 at times in possession with Rico furthest forward. Them also went in midfield travelling with ball.
 

Aaron Hickey

Gee Bee said:
Thought he tucked into a 3 at times in possession with Rico furthest forward. Them also went in midfield travelling with ball.
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Very similar to when he started. I read an explanation once about the complimentary approach using one attacking full back and an inverted more defensive full back who could tuck in as another midfielder. Never realised it was a thing but Aaron is definitely the latter, probably because he's two footed.
 

Aaron Hickey

Les Beeavinu said:
Very similar to when he started. I read an explanation once about the complimentary approach using one attacking full back and an inverted more defensive full back who could tuck in as another midfielder. Never realised it was a thing but Aaron is definitely the latter, probably because he's two footed.
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Do you want to go forward this time?
No, you carry on. You did ever so well last time.
Thanks. Have to say you tucked in wonderfully....
 

Aaron Hickey

Les Beeavinu said:
Very similar to when he started. I read an explanation once about the complimentary approach using one attacking full back and an inverted more defensive full back who could tuck in as another midfielder. Never realised it was a thing but Aaron is definitely the latter, probably because he's two footed.
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Hickey can absolutely do this. Can Kayode, Henry, KLP so we have the flexibility to swap this role from side to side during a game? Can it even be coached? It gives another dimension to our already fluid style.
 

Aaron Hickey

Walshie said:
Hickey can absolutely do this. Can Kayode, Henry, KLP so we have the flexibility to swap this role from side to side during a game? Can it even be coached? It gives another dimension to our already fluid style.
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ISTR we did this with Henry and Dalsgaard some time ago. Dalsgaard mainly dropped in to make a back three but, every so often, they reversed the roles. Henrik was certainly the better crosser.
 

Aaron Hickey

Walshie said:
Hickey can absolutely do this. Can Kayode, Henry, KLP so we have the flexibility to swap this role from side to side during a game? Can it even be coached? It gives another dimension to our already fluid style.
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We will be flexible right through the team, needs work, but 1st half today showed glimpses from back to front.
2nd half we were more structured in a 442/451 with Trevitt playing just behind MPH. Hickey however was the one used for his flexible playing abilities
 

Aaron Hickey

Les Beeavinu said:
Feels like a big signing
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Just thinking the same today. Imagine the excitement and optimism around here if, in addition to Milambo, Kayode, Henderson and Kelleher, we'd also signed Hickey and Thiago in this window. They both really do feel like new signings. Hopefully Nunes will too.
 

Aaron Hickey

HMDBFC said:
I was pooh pooed by some a few weeks ago when expressing the opinion that Hickey would be a great fit as a CN replacement. I guess a few more might agree now..
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Why? He looked top class at right back H2… and Henderson looked top class in central midfield H1.
 

Aaron Hickey

HMDBFC said:
I was pooh pooed by some a few weeks ago when expressing the opinion that Hickey would be a great fit as a CN replacement. I guess a few more might agree now..
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I do not think that was the reaction, I for one suggested a return from 18 months out might suggest he consolidate at full back. A change in position as well might be too much initially. You may well be proved right, let’s see.
 

Aaron Hickey

HMDBFC said:
I was pooh pooed by some a few weeks ago when expressing the opinion that Hickey would be a great fit as a CN replacement. I guess a few more might agree now..
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Based off a good performance… in his natural position at full back?
 

Aaron Hickey

HMDBFC said:
Back four of Henry, SVB, Collins and Kayode is solid, dynamic and versatile. Adding Hickey into the CDM role in combination with the now signed Henderson would add further strength and experience and effectively link with the attacking formations in my opinion.
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Yarmolyuk in goal?
 

Aaron Hickey

beesupfulhamdown! said:
He's not a guaranteed starter wouldnt surprise me if it was the midfield that started first half.
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I’m not sure I understand that… that was intended to be a humorous response to retraining our best full back, in my opinion, to be a midfielder.
 

Aaron Hickey

jlove said:
I’m not sure I understand that… that was intended to be a humorous response to retraining our best full back, in my opinion, to be a midfielder.
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Why is it impossible to imagine our best line up including Rico, Kayode, and then Aaron in holding midfield? Hickey has all the tools to do it.
 

Aaron Hickey

Boston Bee said:
Why is it impossible to imagine our best line up including Rico, Kayode, and then Aaron in holding midfield? Hickey has all the tools to do it.
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  • Why would we not use the most experienced player we’ve ever signed in the key midfield position for game control?
  • Why would we risk retraining a full back to be a midfielder when he’s been selected for club and country as a full back around 100 times?
  • Yes, Hearts played Aaron in midfield 5 years ago, aged 18, and his then manager said he might be a midfielder in the future… but he’s been a full back ever since.
  • I am also of the opinion that he’s our best full back, will continue to improve there and will eventually transition to the left.
  • Kayode’s very exciting but he’s still got a lot to learn about defending.
We’ve needed to shuffle players into unfamiliar positions through desperation; we’re not desperate at this moment (well, maybe right-side attack!).
 

Aaron Hickey

Boston Bee said:
Why is it impossible to imagine our best line up including Rico, Kayode, and then Aaron in holding midfield? Hickey has all the tools to do it.
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Because not only has he never played there but he really doesn’t have all the tools to do it. He’s always been better on the ball than off it. Perhaps he could play midfield but if he did his skillset would likely have him closer to a Jensen style midfielder than a Norgaard, controlling a game rather than breaking it up. Henderson hasn’t come here in a World Cup year to sit on the bench for a bloke that’s never played midfield before. You play him in midfield and his competition is Yarmoliuk, Milambo, Jensen.

His last PL game was October 2023, he’s a fantastic young player but there’s no issue with him not starting every game straight away, let him work his way back in slowly and compete with Rico and Kayode, rather than force him into a position he’s never played before.
 

Aaron Hickey

Just so great to see him back playing again. Even allowing for the level of the opposition he just looked class when he came on , has so much time on the ball and comfortable on either foot .
Not sure he’ll be risked at the start of the season but KA has a problem at full back (how long have we been saying that ?!!) we’ve got 4 top quality players all who can play there.
Plan for KLP obviously to go back up the pitch and he has time to reacquaint himself there but he was so good there last season it may be his best position , nice problem to have but I’m glad it’s not mine !
 

Aaron Hickey

shepperton bee said:
Not sure he’ll be risked at the start of the season but KA has a problem at full back (how long have we been saying that ?!!) we’ve got 4 top quality players all who can play there.
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It’s not a problem as each of the three (I’m discounting Lewis-Potter and Meghoma) has different attributes and can be selected as appropriate tactically. Hickey did look so comfortable on the ball, calm and composed with steel if needed.
 
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