Hyypia is just like Hodgson says Hughes
AARON HUGHES can see more than a hint of England boss Roy Hodgson in Brighton manager Sami Hyypia.
Hughes became Hyypia’s first signing when the former Liverpool skipper took charge at Albion this summer.
And the centre-back –– who worked with Hodgson at Fulham – already feels as though he is on familiar ground.
Hughes said: “I guess he is like Roy Hodgson in terms of being very meticulous, demanding quality every day, and getting his message across.
“Roy was brilliant at that. Sometimes it was repetitive and we were doing the same things, but you saw the success we had at Fulham.
“There are certain aspects of that, making sure everything is done well day-in and day-out. In the end that is what will get you results on the pitch on Saturday.” Hughes found himself out of contract when his short-term deal at QPR came to an end after last May’s play-off final success.
But the Northern Ireland international insists he has no regrets at not being offered the chance to move into the Premier League with Harry Redknapp’s side.
He added: “I only had a six-month contract and I hadn’t really spoken about what was happening after. It was a case of getting to the end and seeing. There was never anything promised or anything like that, whether they went up or not. I just tried to enjoy it.
“And obviously the experience of getting into the play-offs and going to Wembley was fantastic.
“I wasn’t being built up to be knocked down, it was just a case of wait and see what happens. I just thought it would work itself out.
“I had a couple of offers but this was the first thing to come up where everything appealed to me straight away. So I was more focused on getting this one done.”
Hughes knows what it takes to win promotion from the Championship – but refuses to look too far ahead.
He said: “Every team can beat each other. But rather than looking forward and seeing what we have to do, if we get the quality right in training every day, then that is what will see us through in the end.”