Rich Hughes' honest admission over 'surprise' Portsmouth impact of ex-Leeds man he recruited
The central defender made 49 appearances and scored four times in his maiden Fratton Park season
Rich Hughes admits he was ‘surprised’ over the title-winning impact of the player who has etched himself into Pompey folklore.
Conor Shaughnessy’s 89th-minute headed winner dramatically secured the League One title against Barnsley, also capping a magnificent personal season for the centre-half.
Recruited on a free transfer from Burton in June 2023, few anticipated the classy 27-year-old would prove to be such an inspirational signing - including Hughes.
Shaughnessy failed to make the 18-man squad for the opening match against Bristol Rovers, yet went on to be crowned Pompey Players’ Player Of The Season and named in the EFL League One Team Of The Season.
And Hughes, who oversaw the Irishman’s recruitment, revealed he didn’t anticipate the former Leeds man reaching such heights at Fratton Park.
Pompey’s sporting director told The News: ‘Shocks’ story is lovely in terms of it has been well-publicised that he missed the first game of the season.
‘We really liked him, we felt he could definitely compete alongside a group of centre-halves at the top end of League One based on various factors.
‘We had seen a lot of his work at Burton when in a three, occasionally he played as a six in front of the back three just because of the nature of how they played. We saw lots of things we liked.
‘Shocks had had a couple of ankle injuries and we genuinely felt that, if we could get him clear of that, there was a centre-back who could compete at the top end of League One.
‘Were we surprised how well he did? Absolutely! We knew he could compete alongside the top of League One, but I don’t think when we brought him into the club he would be a pretty unanimous Players’ Player Of The Season and in the League One Team Of The Year.
‘He has absolutely deserved every accolade he’s got because he has been outstanding, but it’s testament to him and the work which goes on behind the scenes to help him.
‘Shocks is diligent with his game, he watches stuff back, he learns, he has questions - and they are the players you want. When they have that huge capability for growth, they tend to do really well.’
Shaughnessy started 45 of Pompey’s 46 League One fixtures, totalling 49 games and four goals overall.
Of course, the only league fixture he wasn’t involved in was the opening day 1-1 draw with Bristol Rovers.
Hughes added: ‘Credit to Shocks, he knocked on John’s door after the Bristol Rovers game when he wasn’t in the squad and then applied himself incredibly well against Forest Green and looked like a really top player.
‘Then he got himself in the team against Leyton Orient and didn’t look back.
‘We can talk about what we see as a recruitment team - and John and his coaching staff are part of that - but, ultimately, we give the players the opportunity and they take it and run with it.
‘Shocks seized the opportunity, got himself into the team and then gave John no reason to take him out of it.’