Hughes eyes long Euro run
29 Sep 2006 - 09:11:20
Blackburn boss Mark Hughes thinks his side is capable of enjoying a long European campaign this season after Rovers moved into the group stage of the UEFA Cup with a hard-fought victory against Red Bull Salzburg.
Benni McCarthy and David Bentley scored in the second leg clash at Ewood Park on Thursday to seal a 4-2 aggregate success and Hughes was delighted with side's display.
"I thought we were excellent," he said after the 2-0 win. "I thought from start to finish we really got the ball down and set the tempo and the momentum.
"We didn't give a good Salzburg side any encouragement whatsoever. It was a really good professional performance and a good European start.
"We want a long campaign, we've got more games now in Europe and I have to say the crowd was magnificent tonight and if we have more nights like that I think everybody will enjoy them.
"They never really got a sniff all night long and that's what I was most pleased about as it was a good solid performance.
"Some of our build-up play was very good and, if we get people with the ability that we have in the right areas in and around the penalty box, then anything can happen and we proved that.
"Our only fear on the night was that they'd get a goal and we'd have to try and break them down. That didn't happen and the first goal certainly settled us in that respect."