Source: Team_Talk
Hughes wants smiling Bairns
Hughes raised the subject following Saturday's 2-1 Scottish Premier League defeat to Hamilton.[LNB]The home loss left the Bairns one point ahead of bottom club Inverness, who are unbeaten in four games since Terry Butcher took charge.[LNB]Hughes felt the need to broach the subject of relegation - but only so he could attempt to take the anxiety out of his team's play.[LNB]Hughes, who takes Falkirk to his former club Hibernian on Saturday, said: "It's about time we face up to the reality of the situation and start winning football matches to stay in the SPL.[LNB]"I didn't tell any lies but we were on good form until the Hamilton game and the Hamilton game was very disappointing."[LNB]He added: "It's only after the Hamilton game that I started facing up to it.[LNB]"I didn't want to touch on it too much because I think one or two of them might get scared.[LNB]"But I just took the decision to face right up to it, know what's at stake and let's go and handle it and express ourselves within that pressure. Let's go and play relaxed football.[LNB]"You won't see a raging lunatic on the touchline. It's all encouragement. Yes, there is frustration there, but it's all, 'Come on, then' because I know how hard it is.[LNB]"We've all played the game where it's been great but most of us have been in the game when it's not going great, when you're fighting for your lives.[LNB]"We're at that bit where we're fighting for our lives. You have to think back to the good times in your career and bring that to the table."[LNB]Hughes insists the pressure of his job never impinges on his personality.[LNB]And he has told his players to follow his lead and remain upbeat throughout the challenge.[LNB]"I never get really stressed," the former Celtic and Falkirk defender said.[LNB]"I'm a qualified painter and decorator. I've never had it easy. I've always had to work for anything I get and I appreciate what I've got.[LNB]"I love coming to my work and surrounding myself with enthusiastic people.[LNB]"I've always got a smile on my face, I love a joke and I love a laugh and I think that's a big part of it.[LNB]"I said to the players, 'You have to do it as well. You have to come in here and enjoy it'.[LNB]"I just feel the way some of them played on Saturday that they thought they were going to face the firing squad.[LNB]"I just had to put it into perspective and said, 'Listen, let's just go and play our football and we'll be all right'.[LNB]"They have to use the mental tools at their disposal to make sure they go out and play their football relaxed.[LNB]"Because, when we do that, that's when we are at our best."[LNB][LNB]
