Source: Telegraph
Manchester City fans turn on Mark Hughes after Robinho is rested in Fulham defeat
City's one chance to salvage a season that had promised much with the signing of the Brazilian and a massive cash injection from new owners Abu Dhabi United is to win this season's Uefa Cup.
However, with a 3-1 deficit from their quarter-final first leg in Hamburg, that possibility looks remote and questions are being asked about Hughes' long-term future at the club.
Moyes rules out permanent move for JoA chorus of boos swept down from the City of Manchester Stadium stands at the end of the game against Fulham, with Hughes barracked by supporters throughout a tepid display from his side.
When Hughes elected to introduce Chad Evans in place of Valeri Bojinov rather than Robinho, with the scores at 1-1, fans shouted 'You don't know what you're doing' at the manager, having implored him to bring on Robinho before then.
However, Hughes claimed that supporters were guilty of not looking at the wider picture, with Robinho clearly jaded and needed for the huge task against Martin Jol's classy Hamburg team on Thursday.
'I am just trying to protect the players who have carried the vast majority of the workload,' said Hughes. 'Robinho comes into that category.
'The supporters shout for individual players to be put on but sometimes it is simplistic.'
Hughes betrayed himself by finally relenting and bringing Robinho on with 25 minutes remaining and, in a fashion, was vindicated in his original assessment by another substandard showing from the Brazilian as City were easily swept aside by a solid and organised Fulham.
In now appears unlikely that Robinho will be at the club at the end of the summer, with the player, who has not scored in 15 matches and continues to frustrate with inconsistency, likely to be sold if a buyer can be found.
Hughes' own position, too, is perilous, despite having the public backing of Sheikh Mansour, the club's owner, as the season draws to an underwhelming conclusion.
Reports last week that Inter Milan manager Jose Mourinho was being lined up to replace Hughes were met with angry denials by Khaldoon al-Mubarak, the City chairman, but Hughes knows the added pressure City's new found wealth brings with it.
'The fans have been fantastic here, we've won six of the last seven home games and [the defeat to Fulham] was an exception,' Hughes said.
'Yes, there will be people who make comments, but I have to pick the squad I have got and assess the fitness of the players in it.
'Robinho has had a great first season, but this was one of those occasions when I thought we could protect him. This was the first opportunity I've
had to give Robbie a break.
'I had Martin [Petrov] for one of the first times this season so it was important to give him a chance. Tired minds make mistakes and maybe this result was a consequence of that.
'Just too many were feeling the effects of a long season.'
