By ugly I mean Hughton had you focussed and solid at the back first and foremost (as he did with us). In the Championship having that kind of strong base means that your more technically gifted players have more freedom to express themselves. e.g. Benitez' approach meant we had the joint best...
Pragmatic football nearly won you the championship, and it's won us the championship twice. I wouldn't be so keen to abandon it in the Premier League if I were you.
Stick with the horse that brought you. We've all seen promoted sides come up, try and play lovely football, get praise from all...