‘Mentally challenging’ – Will Hughes on wait for first-team run at Crystal Palace

Will Hughes has admitted that it was “mentally challenging” not to become an instant starter following his move to Crystal Palace.

Hughes joined the Eagles in the summer in a £6million deal on a three-year deal from Watford.

The 26-year-old has started the past four games after 10 appearances on the bench without getting on to the pitch.

Hughes made his debut in a 10-minute cameo in the 1-0 loss to Leeds United in late November and was voted man of the match by Crystal Palace fans in the 3-0 win against Norwich last time out.

When asked by PLP whether it’s difficult not to start when you complete a transfer to a new club, Hughes said: “It’s mentally challenging, but at the same time, you have to be realistic.

“I knew coming here that I wasn’t going to be instantly starting every game, especially since I didn’t have a proper pre-season – I was a bit behind in that aspect. And on top of that, we were playing so well earlier on in the season, so I had no complaints – I was enjoying watching.

“We still are playing well, so to get a chance and for the manager to trust me means a lot.

“With the squad we have, we know that we have to perform because otherwise, there are going to be players ready to take our place.”

Speaking on his experiences so far playing under the three-time Premier League winner Patrick Vieira, Hughes said: “He’s been first class. Look at what he has achieved in the game and in the Premier League – there’s not much that he hasn’t won.

“To learn from one of the best that has been in this league, let alone in the same position as me, has been fantastic. Even when I wasn’t playing, he has been brilliant with me off the pitch – telling me to be patient and keeping me going at that point.”

The Eagles are 11th in the Premier League table on 23 points, with summer signings and Vieira’s attacking brand of football turning the South Londoners into a team that can compete against the entire league.

“Without a doubt,” said Hughes, when asked if joining Crystal Palace felt as if it was the right club at the right time for him.

“We have gone through such a transformation – a new manager, there have been a lot of players who were out of contract and have left, and a lot of new faces have come in.

“It was a big identity shift, and it speaks volumes of the squad and staff that it has integrated so well, and we have performed to such high standards this season.”

Looking ahead to tomorrow’s clash against London rivals West Ham United, who find themselves fifth in the table and four points off a Champions League spot, Hughes said that Hammers manager David Moyes hasn’t “got enough credit.”

He added: “Because he has been around the game for so long, people don’t necessarily talk about him in such high regard. If it was a different manager or younger coach, people would be going crazy about it.

“On the other side, we know we’re at home, and our home record has been very impressive this season, so they’re going to be thinking the same – they’re not going to find it easy coming to our place.”

PICTURES: KEITH GILLARD