Source: Telegraph
Mark Hughes' talent-spotting pays off as Fulham beat Wigan Athletic at Craven Cottage
Mark Hughes has watched from afar the problems at Manchester City, the apparent falling out between players and management and inconsistent results, and the Welshman can afford a private smile.[LNB]On Saturday he saw his current team, Fulham, produce a controlled, intelligent and attractive performance to end a worryingly long spell without a win, a victory inspired by two relatively unknown players spotted and signed by the manager.[LNB] Related ArticlesFulham 2 Wigan Athletic 0Premier League actionPremier League tablePremier League fixturesTelegraph player raterSport on televisionHughes took particular pleasure from the performances of Carlos Salcido and Mousa Dembélé, a Mexican and a Belgian who exposed woeful Wigan Athletic's failings.[LNB]As Manchester City struggle with their millionaire squad, their former manager said: 'I enjoy seeing my signings succeed and maybe that was forgotten at my last club. People just assumed I cherry-picked players and spent lots of money ... which I did! [LNB]'But I had a track record prior to that, of picking decent players and I'll back my judgment on that time and time again. I like to think I'm good at that.[LNB]'I don't like harking back to the City situation because it has got nothing to do with me. But in fairness, at that time they wanted to run very quickly. [LNB]'So we had to get numbers in and maybe the numbers were too many too soon. That was the remit I was working to. When you've got time you can use your judgment, use your contacts and find good players.'[LNB]Fulham flourished as Clint Dempsey destroyed a Wigan side who wilted in the late autumn sunshine. Dempsey's two first-half goals gave Fulham a cushion that enabled them to give a run out to Andy Johnson for the final few minutes.[LNB]By his own admission, Johnson is a mix between a London bus and the Bionic Man. But there was enough to suggest, in his 10 brief but eventful minutes, that the wait for the striker has been worthwhile.[LNB]Patient Fulham have waited seven weeks and seven games for a win, and finally got a glimpse of Johnson, nine months since he last trod the turf at Craven Cottage.[LNB]Johnson, though, has had a year he would rather forget. A knee injury kept the one-time England striker out of the game for three months and when he returned he injured his shoulder. And when it seemed he was ready to come back again it was discovered he needed surgery on a new knee problem.[LNB]'I feel like the Bionic Man,' said a relieved Johnson. 'And it's like a London bus, you wait hours for one and then they all come along together that's how my injuries have been.[LNB]'I must have stood on a black cat. Mentally, it is so hard, but the reward for getting through it comes through the reaction of the fans.'[LNB]
