Source: SKY_Sports
Hughes plans summer additions
Mark Hughes claims Manchester City are just a couple of additions from having an ideal squad.
Hughes has refused to be downcast following Thursday's major setback when Hamburg put a serious dent in the Blues' Uefa Cup hopes by beating City 3-1 in their quarter-final first leg.
The City manager has tried his best to play down supporters' sky-high expectations ever since the monumental investment from the Abu Dhabi United Group earlier this season.
But former Wales coach Hughes feels a couple of signings in the summer, with a target man likely to be high on the agenda, will go a long way to matching fans' ambitions.
"We are not too far away," said Hughes, who was speaking at coaching and signing session on behalf of Premier League sponsors Barclays.
Strong signings"We just need a couple of strong signings to address conspicuous issues in the team.
"Maybe the acquisition of different types of players to the ones we have already got will leave us in better shape.
"We are like most squads. The first 11 is very strong but if we get injuries, especially two in one position, we don't have enough strength in depth to cope."
Hughes' squad is set to be tested like never before when City tackle Fulham on Sunday.
Craig Bellamy, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Benjani Mwaruwari are all set to miss out from the side that slipped to that disappointing defeat in Germany.
It gives the Blues chief more problems to wrestle with in what has turned out to be a very challenging year.
Not that Hughes would have it any other way, even if, as has been the case for so many City managers down the years, he has learned to expect the unexpected.
Relish
"I do enjoy it," said Hughes. "The speculation about what is going to happen in the future is not very helpful because it makes my job more difficult. But day-to-day it tests you.
"The art of management is to try and recognise when things are going to happen. Here they just happen and you have to be ready with the right response for every eventuality.
"It makes you a better manager."
