If you follow a timeline then Hoedt was the next in after Fonte and six months before van Dijk left so he's Fontes' replacement. van Dijk has not been replaced. Stephen's better than Fonte? I think the jury is out on that one.
Exactly. I don't get all the concern with finding a replacement. Short term and big bonus will attract a few to the job then we can re-evaluate come the summer.
Possibly, but they're not exactly kids at 23 and 24. But as you say, we need them to be up to the standard now not in two years time. It's not their fault they're in this position it's those who acquired them and let the corresponding players leave.
I see he's only scored 12 goals in 18 months. I don't know if there's mitigating circumstances but doesn't seem much of a return in that standard of football.
There was an interesting piece on him on Sky Sports that I happened to read yesterday.
http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11726/11219011/the-making-of-aden-flint-bristol-city-defenders-rise-from-non-league