Source: Team_Talk
Hughes happy with right response
Mark Hughes was delighted with Fulham's thrashing of Port Vale in the Carling Cup, and reserved special praise for youngster Matthew Briggs.[LNB] Hughes only made three changes from Sunday's 2-2 draw against Manchester United, with Briggs and £5m summer signing Moussa Dembele both making their first starts for Fulham.[LNB]Zoltan Gera also came into the side and all three had a significant impact as Fulham outclassed the League Two side.[LNB]Hungarian Gera and Bobby Zamora scored twice each and there were goals for Dembele and his replacement Clint Dempsey.[LNB]"It is important after games like this to make the headlines for the right reasons and we have done that because we approached it in the correct manner," said Hughes.[LNB]"We showed the competition the respect it deserves and I was really pleased with what we produced.[LNB]"There were some outstanding goals and some great finishes. There some really good progressive play and that augurs well for the future.[LNB]"I didn't want to make too many changes. It is early in the season and not the time of year to be resting players.[LNB]"I felt it was an opportunity to have a look at him (Briggs). I am trying to see what we have got in terms of quality.[LNB]"He is a young man I haven't seen a great deal of. I have been impressed in training and he acquitted himself really well.[LNB]"He was instrumental in the first goal with a great cross and he did himself no harm tonight."[LNB]Port Vale manager Micky Adams, a former Fulham boss, was given a rousing reception from the Craven Cottage fans but the generosity ended there.[LNB]Adams knew his side would be up against it the moment he saw confirmation of the Fulham team.[LNB]"As soon as we saw the team sheet we knew we would be in trouble," said Adams.[LNB]"A lot of the Premier League clubs last night made wholesale changes. Fulham for their own reasons picked their first team and it was always going to difficult.[LNB]"But we are disappointed. I think we are better than we showed tonight but we couldn't get near Fulham. They had pace and movement and it was too much for us.[LNB]"They are real athletes which is why they play at this level. We will lick our wounds and get on with it.[LNB]"I came back here with Brentford and Leicester. I think this is my first defeat since coming back.[LNB]"The place is unrecognisable from the one I first managed. There are even tiles in the bathroom and hot water."
