Schwarzer key to Fulham success - Hughes

17 September 2010 18:03
Fulham boss Mark Hughes hopes the offer of a new deal may convince Mark Schwarzer to stay with the Cottagers when the transfer window reopens.[LNB] The Cottagers fended off strong interest from Arsenal for their veteran Australian keeper, rejecting a £4million offer for a player who is in the final year of his contract.[LNB]They are braced for another battle to keep Schwarzer, who will be 38 next month, in January but Hughes is determined to keep a crucial cog in the team's success.[LNB]"If we could tie Mark down to a longer contract that would be the ideal for me," he said.[LNB]"It might not be an option open to us as he is well within his rights to look at his options in January.[LNB]"I want him to stay and would be more comfortable and think that I have a chance of winning if Mark was playing.[LNB]"We hope that he will stay until the end of the season.[LNB]"We weren't receptive to any bids for Mark in January as we were not prepared to take money for him - he's too important for us.[LNB]"In January that will still be the situation as we'd rather he's still here helping us win Premier League games.[LNB]"His immediate future is here. We're pleased with that and will look to January when we have to.[LNB]"We are hopeful that we can show him what we want to do and where we want to go.[LNB]"I have made it known to him that I want him to be part of that."[LNB]Schwarzer was well received by Fulham fans before Saturday's 2-1 victory over Wolves, despite the fact he was very keen to join Arsenal.[LNB]"Mark has made a real mark here and the reception showed the respect for him," said Hughes.[LNB]"He's made a real impact at the club and been a part of the whole success here, so that respect was due and was given, which was really good for him."[LNB]Hughes was never concerned that Schwarzer would become troublesome after his dream move to Emirates Stadium failed to materialise.[LNB]"Mark's a good professional. I knew there wouldn't be any difference in his daily work or the way he approaches games, so it wasn't a worry for me," he said.[LNB]"In football you get disappointments more than good times, so that's the norm.[LNB]"He's got over the initial disappointment so he's getting on with it now.'[LNB]Hughes takes his side to Blackburn tomorrow, returning to the club he managed for four years until 2008.[LNB]"Blackburn is still a great club and has great people," he said.[LNB]"I saw comparisons of the quality of people there with the people that I have found at Fulham.[LNB]"That's a big positive thing from my point of view as you're only as good as the people that surround and support you.[LNB]"I was able to be successful at Blackburn as everyone wanted you to do well. I sense that is the same at Fulham."

Source: Team_Talk