Source: Eurosport
Hughes Unruffled By Keane Claims
Mark Hughes has told old team-mate Roy Keane he is not the only one with a fierce hunger to succeed as a manager.[LNB]After his surprise appointment as Ipswich manager on Thursday, Keane said Hughes was one of the former Manchester United players who have supposedly made a success of being a boss but in fact could not claim such an accolade as they have not won anything.[LNB]Manchester City's last chance of silverware this term disappeared with their UEFA Cup exit to Hamburg. Yet Hughes does not view the campaign as a failure.[LNB]And he feels Thursday's observations were just an example of Keane shooting from the hip without necessarily giving a great deal of thought to the substance of his words.[LNB]"Roy is just making a statement," smiled Hughes.[LNB]"The media are very glad he is back on the scene because he is good value.[LNB]"I don't think many managers who get appointed to a mid-table Championship team could make the impact Roy has.[LNB]"It is a compliment to him and the personality he has. He has taken on a big task there, just as I have here.[LNB]"It is about driving our clubs forward."[LNB]In any case, Hughes does not feel achievement can be measured solely in terms of trophies.[LNB]Including Europe, only four are on offer each season. And, even for a club of City's wealth, the title is somewhat unrealistic.[LNB]"Success is relative," said Hughes.[LNB]"With limited resources, maybe just competing in the Premier League against some of the best teams in Europe can be viewed as a success.[LNB]"It is about expectation and resources."[LNB]As City are still pushing for a seventh-placed finish that would book a place in next term's Europa League, Hughes still feels City have enough to play for this term not to start packing their boots away.[LNB]Yet they can currently only dream of the thrilling end to the season that awaits Saturday's opponents Everton.[LNB]Already secure in the top six, the Toffeemen also have an FA Cup final to look forward to following last weekend's penalty shoot-out victory over Manchester United.[LNB]"Everton have a fantastic work ethic," said Hughes.[LNB]"It strikes you every time you watch them play.[LNB]"But the technical ability in that group is sometimes underestimated."[LNB]If City are to stand any chance of forcing themselves into that final European qualifying place, they must end their awful run of away results.[LNB]Not since the victory at Sunderland in August have the Blues won on their travels.[LNB]Given their excellent week, in which an appearance in their first major final since 1995 was followed by a goalless draw at Chelsea, the club they will face at Wembley on May 30, Everton do not appear to be approaching tomorrow's game from a position of weakness.[LNB]Yet, from his own experience, Hughes wonders if this is a time when David Moyes' men might be vulnerable.[LNB]"When you have a high-profile game and another one in midweek it can eventually take an edge off your play," said Hughes.[LNB]"It would be nice to think we could capitalise on that because we definitely need to improve our away form."[LNB]City will be without a number of senior players on Merseyside, with Craig Bellamy, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Pablo Zabaleta all ruled out.[LNB]Nigel de Jong is a major doubt too after suffering a thigh injury in last week's win over West Brom.[LNB]At least Robinho is available, fresh from his first goal of 2009 and a reaffirmation of his desire to be at Eastlands next season.[LNB]"Robinho is happy here. We see that on a daily basis," said Hughes.[LNB]"He will benefit from the experience he has had with us this season.[LNB]"It is a stronger and more physical league that he has been used to and the intensity is higher.[LNB]"Next season we hope he will go on to bigger and better things."[LNB]
