It is often said “Begin as you mean to go along” but for Joe Hugill, it has not materialised yet at Wigan Athletic on loan in League One.
After scoring on his Wigan debut (friendly), Hugill has now failed to open his account for the club on his third appearance.
The on-loan Man United forward had a terrible time of things vs Reading as his Latics side were condemned to a 2-0 defeat away from home.
It was a chastening experience for the youngster as he barely got involved in a game where his team were completely outclassed.
Joe Hugill’s absent display
It was said about Hugill during his time at United as well that he is a pure poacher who will get his team goals if he is provided the service.
However, outside of being fed passes to convert, his all-around game lacks the polish to become a complete threat.
That is what was on display again vs Reading as the hosts laid siege to Wigan’s goal and Hugill was completely MIA.
To his credit, Wigan had just six shots in total and two of those came from Hugill but one was blocked and another was a sighter from range.
In a barely believable stat, Hugill played 90 minutes and completed just three passes, attempting only six with 15 touches.
He utterly failed to get involved in the buildup and looked like an isolated man upfront in what is sure to be a huge learning experience for the youngster.
His team didn’t help him much either, as he was reduced to trying and make something from the scraps he was fed, losing five of the seven aerial duels he engaged in.
Ultimately, he was barely a factor in the match as a dominant home side ran Wigan ragged and laid bare the weakest skills in Hugill’s repertoire. Coincidentally, ex-United man Charlie Savage was on the scoresheet for Reading.
Necessary experience
Hugill’s display vs Reading was a microcosm of the criticism levied on his game throughout his time at Man United as well.
His goal in pre-season vs Rangers swept many issues under the rug but the reality remains that outside of scoring, he doesn’t do much.
While that sentence doesn’t read as problematic since goals are the most valued commodity in football, it is worrying that Hugill is effectively a passenger in the side unless he is given service.
In contrast, someone like Ethan Wheatley didn’t score in pre-season and arguably isn’t even as clinical as Hugill, but impressed with his pressing nous and ability to link up play to get involved in the game.
He has been promoted to the first-team and is expected to see game time this season while Hugill, his senior, has been asked to effectively impress in senior football elsewhere if he is to stand a chance of getting a United first-team position.
It is not off to a good start but it’s necessary experience for a player to hone his skill set and add other qualities to his game to become a better player.
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