Hughes keeps expectations in check

06 December 2009 10:28
Anthony Stokes claimed a double in an impressive display against a Motherwell side whose only other Clydesdale Bank Premier League defeat this season came against the Edinburgh team.[LNB]Hibs began to take control in the latter stages of the first half and Stokes brushed off a defender to slot home after a clinical Hibs break.[LNB]And they produced some impressive football after another Stokes shot took a major deflection - off a Motherwell defender according to the Hibs forward - and beat John Ruddy 10 minutes into the second period.[LNB]Hughes had called for an improvement in performance after his players ground out a 2-0 win over Falkirk last week and he got what he asked for as Hibs remained two points off SPL leaders Celtic.[LNB]But the former Falkirk manager remained only cautiously optimistic about his team's season despite staying level on points with champions Rangers.[LNB]"It's a good victory against a well-organised, passing Motherwell side," Hughes said. "It had to be but we're not getting carried away. You keep your feet in the ground in this league.[LNB]"Anybody in the SPL is capable of beating each other on their day. The Old Firm are still out in front. We'll just keep on winning football matches and see where it takes us."[LNB]He added: "I felt the performance was good, it was hard-working and it had to be. That's the demands we're setting and the boys are living up to it."[LNB]When pressed whether it was difficult to keep his players' feet on the ground, he replied: "Simple. Anything you get in football, you make sure you're putting it in, because, if you don't, you'll come unstuck.[LNB]"If you saw us against St Mirren two weeks ago, we were very fortunate to come away with a point. We still need to work hard on that consistency."[LNB]Motherwell manager Jim Gannon refused to speak to any members of the media and instructed his players to remain silent, too.[LNB]No explanation was given for the decision of Gannon, who also avoided the press conference after his side's 2-2 draw with Hamilton four weeks ago.[LNB]Gannon has been critical of sections of the media and, in the wake of the 2-2 draw with Dundee United last weekend, spoke out strongly against referee Alan Muir and the Scottish Football Association's referees department.[LNB]Some Motherwell players had claimed the first goal was offside but television pictures apparently vindicated the assistant referee, while the only other obvious bone of contention was a dubious yellow card for Jamie Murphy for diving when he was felled inside the box by Sol Bamba.[LNB]Meanwhile, Hughes allayed fears over Derek Riordan's fitness after the Scotland striker limped off with 10 minutes left.[LNB]"It was just cramp - and no wonder, I think he worked hard," the Hibs boss said. "He was working back in midfield and tackling, everything we asked of him."[LNB][LNB][LNB]

Source: Team_Talk