Source: Team_Talk
Hughes happy with classy Cottagers
Mark Hughes believes Fulham are starting to benefit from a new style of play he introduced and saw work well in Saturday's 2-0 win over Wigan.[LNB] Clint Dempsey struck twice in the first half to earn the Cottagers a comfortable victory that lifts them to eighth in the Premier League.[LNB]"We made it easy for ourselves because of the manner of our performance. From the start we were on the front foot," said Hughes.[LNB]"We had plenty if energy and dictated to the opposition, which is what we want to do this season.[LNB]"We're asking the team to be more dynamic this year and not concede ground as readily as they did in the past.[LNB]"We saw the benefit of that today. The guys are enjoying the type of football we're playing and we were rewarded.[LNB]"We felt that maybe we haven't been getting the points our performances deserve this season.[LNB]"We weren't worried about dropping down the table but you want to be in the top half when you wake up on a Sunday morning.[LNB]"I feel we are a top 10 side and I won't be persuaded from that."[LNB]Dempsey profited from excellent approach play from full-backs Carlos Salcido and Chris Baird.[LNB]The USA forward nodded in Salcido's cross for the opener on the half hour mark before rifling home the second, teed up by a clever pass from Baird.[LNB]"Both goals were after good passages of play. The first was an excellent goal that saw us change the focus of attack," said Hughes.[LNB]"It was a great header from Clint and the second was similar from the other side. At 2-0 we were very comfortable."[LNB]If Dempsey was man of the match, then the outstanding Salcido was not far behind him.[LNB]"Salcido is a good player - everybody could see that today. His enjoyment of the Premier League is clear. He likes the intensity and wants to be involved," said Hughes.[LNB]"He's a very experienced international who has a good understanding of the game. He's had a real impact for us.[LNB]"As an attacking threat he's come to the fore as well."[LNB]Wigan manager Roberto Martinez offered no excuse for a lethargic display from his side.[LNB]"That felt like our worst performance of the season and we didn't deserve anything out of it," he said.[LNB]"We came here with no real energy. We looked flat, couldn't get on the ball and were very weak.[LNB]"Fulham were sharper and brighter. It was one of those performance that we must eradicate from our season. We must make sure it never happens again.[LNB]"We had an energetic performance in the Carling Cup that took a lot from us and certain players probably couldn't cope with three games in a week.[LNB]"It's a been a crazy period for us and today we didn't have the strength to compete."
