Source: Team_Talk
Arfield hits out at Hughes critics
Bairns midfielder Arfield, 20, is a staunch disciple of Hughes, having been promoted to the first team from the club's youth system by the 44-year-old.[LNB]And he cannot understand those members of the fans' group the Bairns Trust who wrote an open letter to chairman Campbell Christie last week demanding Hughes' removal.[LNB]Arfield accepts supporters have every right to complain about the club's current plight, which sees them four points adrift at the foot of the SPL.[LNB]But he feels they have too easily forgotten they have rarely enjoyed a more prosperous period than the six years under Hughes' stewardship, which has seen the club gain promotion and become an established SPL side.[LNB]Even this term, notwithstanding their struggles in the league, they have reached the semi-finals of both domestic cups, the second of those semis being Sunday's Homecoming Scottish Cup clash with Dunfermline.[LNB]"I think the fans have got short memories," said Arfield.[LNB]"The letter that the gaffer got was bad timing.[LNB]"We're all in this together; we need the fans behind us as well, as much as they've got a lot to moan at with the performances.[LNB]"We've not got in behind teams and scored the goals we should have.[LNB]"So obviously there's something to moan about but I think it was a bit out of order if I'm being honest."[LNB]Arfield, who broke into the first team almost three years ago, had enjoyed a charmed start to his professional career.[LNB]But the Scotland Under-21 international believes his current travails will help him grow a thicker skin going forward.[LNB]Asked what he had learned about himself this season, he said: "A lot, to be honest with you.[LNB]"It was easier last season and this has been a totally different experience.[LNB]"It's been a bittersweet kind of season; you win one, you lose one, you draw one.[LNB]"It's been a different experience this year but, in the months to come and years to come, I think I'll be better for it."[LNB]He added: "You learn more from the bad times than the good times.[LNB]"When you're young and you're dreaming about playing football, it's all good times.[LNB]"But you don't realise that sometimes you need to come and dig deep.[LNB]"It's up to us to get ourselves out of the situation we're in."[LNB]Despite Falkirk's struggles, Hughes has refused so far to compromise his purist principles, but Arfield believes the team may need to become more direct to survive.[LNB]He said: "I think that's how other teams are getting away from it, like Kilmarnock.[LNB]"They play the long ball as much as they play good football at times.[LNB]"I think their main objective is to get it up and score goals, whereas the gaffer's got his philosophies of how he wants to see our team play football and play it a beautiful way.[LNB]"But it's not been going for us so it's up to him if he wants to change it."[LNB][LNB]
