Source: SKY_Sports
Hughes happy with City start
Manchester City boss Mark Hughes believes his side have answered their critics with their fine start to the season.
A lot of questions were raised about City before the start of the season following their big spending spree in the summer.
City spent over £100million in the summer bringing in Arsenal duo Emmanuel Adebayor and Kolo Toure, Manchester United forward Carlos Tevez, Blackburn striker Roque Santa Cruz, Everton defender Joleon Lescott and Aston Villa midfielder Gareth Barry to bolster their squad.
Expectations have risen at Eastlands with City being tipped as title contenders following their massive outlay in the transfer market.
Hughes, who less than 12 months ago was fighting off questions about his future at Eastlands, knows the critics were waiting for his side to slip up.
However, City have lost just one game and currently sit in fourth spot in the table with a game in hand.
"There were a lot of questions - would we be able to gel early as a team, would so-called egos in the dressing room be able to be managed - being asked of us before a ball was even kicked," Hughes told the club's official website.
"From our point of view I think we have answered each and every one of them.
"We know there is a long way to go but we are pleased with the start we have because we needed a good start.
"The review we have had of the first phase (of the season) has been good. There will be more tests ahead of us but I think we are in good shape.
"When you go through the experience we went through at Old Trafford it can only help to make the group stronger as a whole.
"We know what we are capable of. We have shown glimpses in games where we have been outstanding but we've not clicked for the full 90 minutes yet."
Hughes is confident the players he has brought in can cope with the demands of playing for City but has warned they cannot afford to get ahead of themselves despite an impressive start to the season.
"Everyone realises the people we have brought to the club have made us stronger physically, technically and mentally - which was the key thing from my point of view," added Hughes.
"As a consequence it was inevitable our results would improve but we have to make sure we are consistent through the whole season, and given the quality in the squad, I see no reason why we can't be.
"With all the media platforms out there everyone wants to discuss Manchester City so it is difficult to protect the players but we have used it to our own ends.
"We've used some of the negative stuff as a positive in terms of motivation.
"You shouldn't go too overboard about praise and negative criticism will always be there and so you shouldn't be too upset when you see it because you know it is coming.
"But the group we have are knowledgeable and experienced and they know how it works."
