Hughes hails McCarthy form
01 Nov 2007 - 09:53:14
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- Hughes hails McCarthy form
Blackburn Rovers manager Mark Hughes is delighted to see striker Benni McCarthy back on top form, after a slow start to his second season at Ewood Park.
The 29-year-old has scored five goals in his last four games, having only scored three times in his first ten appearances of the campaign.
Hughes said after the 2-1 Carling Cup victory over Portsmouth at Fratton Park: "I thought Benni McCarthy was absolutely magnificent.
"He had a little period at the start of the season where he wasn't anywhere near the levels I expect from him, but he understood that and knew he needed to work harder.
"At first it was his fitness that wasn't right, but he had lost a bit of form as well. Now he's back to where he should be.
"His retention of the ball and his work in tight areas was a joy to watch and he was always in there looking for scoring chances.
"I left him out a few times, but he's responded to that in the right way.
"He's a gregarious kind of character, very popular with the other players, but they enjoy him a lot more when he plays like that."