Source: Team_Talk
Hughes: Cottagers up to the challenge
Mark Hughes believes Fulham are capable of meeting this week's heavy workload without making changes to their team.[LNB] The Cottagers travel to Stoke on Tuesday for the third round of the Carling Cup - the second of three matches in eight days.[LNB]Hughes, who was appointed Fulham manager in late July, is ready to select his strongest available line-up once again as he continues to asses the strength of his side.[LNB]"I made the point before and after the last round that we are very early in the season and we don't need to make many changes," he said.[LNB]"From a new manager's point of view, I want to see the core elements of my team play as much as possible.[LNB]"That might be different for other clubs who have managers who know their teams inside out.[LNB]"That is a different situation, but for me it helps seeing them play as many times as I can.[LNB]"Physically we recover as well as anybody and we never compromise by playing anybody when they are not fully recovered, so it's not an issue.[LNB]"I made the point before and after the last round against Port Vale that we're very early in the season and I don't think you need to make that many changes."[LNB]Fulham have enjoyed an unbeaten start to the season but Hughes is determined to address the abysmal away form that continues to hinder the club's progress.[LNB]So far this term they have secured draws at Bolton, Blackpool and Blackburn, but have not won on their travels in the Premier League for over a year.[LNB]Hughes is encouraged by what he has seen so far but wants to make the breakthrough, even if it comes in the Carling Cup.[LNB]"I've come into a new club and am trying new things and not dismantling what was there but adding a more positive slant, certainly away from home," he said.[LNB]"It's been a good start in those terms and we will look to keep that going against Stoke, who are always very strong at home."[LNB]The 1-1 draw with Blackburn on Saturday was Fulham's first game without Bobby Zamora and Hughes is confident they can still thrive without their star striker, who is out with a broken leg.[LNB]"Last Saturday was our first game without Bobby and obviously we're going to miss him because he's a quality player who was the main focus of our attack," he said.[LNB]"That was the intention this year and Bobby was going to be a big part of what we did.[LNB]"He's going to missing for possibly five months and we've got to get on with it.[LNB]"I've got good players that can come in and make an impact for us.[LNB]"We can't look at players that aren't here - we've got to look at the ones we have and make sure they have an impact and I think they did on Saturday against Blackburn."
