Nottingham Forest winger Alex Mighten has taken a back seat of late.
The talented 18-year-old hasn’t started a game since scoring the winner against Blackburn on 20th February.
An academy graduate, he has started just six games during Hughton’s time in charge of the club.
For context he has failed to make the squad on nine occasions – although he did miss some weeks through a small injury problem.
It does feel a little harsh on Mighten, who has rarely let Forest down when called upon.
Realistically, he should have been given a chance to shine on the opposite flank to Anthony Knockaert.
Joe Lolley, Sammy Ameobi and Luke Freeman are all left-footed and don’t quite seem at home on the left flank.
Mighten, however, likes to put defenders on the back foot and seems tailor-made to strut his stuff on the left.
Hughton has felt compelled to go with his experienced options as he tries to pull Forest clear of the relegation zone.
The teenager scored the winner against Blackburn and days later Forest also secured all three points against Rotherham.
In the last three games, however, just one point has been claimed from three games.
Freeman has flattered to deceive on the left and by his own admission, his form hasn’t been good enough.
Lolley and Ameobi have struggled for consistency this season and perhaps Mighten is a better option at this moment.
Whenever the academy graduate has been called upon he’s showcased some amazing trickery, a burst of pace and a direct approach in possession.
Of course, he isn’t the finished article but he’s the type of player who will only improve once he gets a regular run of games.
Mighten treated harshly, and he might have to remain patient
It has seemed somewhat bizarre at times that Hughton hasn’t called on Mighten more.
After making the bench and coming on against Luton it would appear that he isn’t injured.
Once again, however, he was omitted from the squad when Forest headed to Watford at the weekend.
As a result, it seems unlikely that Mighten will earn himself a regular run of games between now and the end of the campaign.
Hughton clearly wants to favour the experienced heads in the Forest ranks as they remain embroiled in a battle to avoid relegation.
With that in mind, patience looks to be a virtue for the tricky forward as he aims to ride out this frustrating period.
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