Source: Team_Talk
Hughes shows talent for picking players
Mark Hughes believes his gift for spotting talent may have been overlooked amid the extravagance of his reign at Manchester City.[LNB] Fulham striker Clint Dempsey stole the show at Craven Cottage on Saturday after firing both goals in the 2-0 Premier league victory over Wigan.[LNB]But the USA international had to share centre stage with Mexico defender Carlos Salcido, a £1.6million summer signing from PSV Eindhoven.[LNB]Salcido has become a key attacking player and is establishing a reputation as a dynamic left-back capable of delivering pinpoint crosses.[LNB]Hughes is pleased to have unearthed another gem and believes it is a skill he has not always been given credit for during spells at Blackburn, City and now Fulham.[LNB]"I enjoy the part of spotting a player's potential," said the Cottagers manager.[LNB]"Maybe it was forgotten I could do that when I was at City because people presumed I could cherry pick players, spending lots of money...which I probably did![LNB]"But prior to that I actually had a track record of picking decent players.[LNB]"I'll back my judgment on players time and time again. I like to think I'm good at it.[LNB]"At City they wanted to run very quickly so we had to get numbers in.[LNB]"At times it was too many, too soon, but that was the remit I was working to.[LNB]"When you can use time, your judgment and your contacts, then you can get good players in."[LNB]Salcido's remarkably swift acclimatisation to the Premier League has meant the departure of Paul Konchesky has barely been noticed.[LNB]Konchesky joined former Fulham manager Roy Hodgson at Liverpool in a £4million deal but Hughes believes he has signed a superior replacement.[LNB]"The situation with Konchesky presented itself when I walked through the door here," he said.[LNB]"We tried to resist the attention of Liverpool. We managed it for a few weeks but then decided to look at our options.[LNB]"We wanted someone who would enhance us, certainly not weaken us.[LNB]"If I felt Paul leaving would weaken us, I wouldn't have allowed it to happen.[LNB]"I'd seen Carlos, the level he'd played at and his experience and didn't see it as a risk allowing Paul to go.[LNB]"Now you're starting to see what Carlos can do. He's very humble and enjoys his work.[LNB]"He thrives in this environment with the type of football we're playing. Overall it's a good fit."
