Source: Eurosport
Hughes: I share Keane's ambition
Manchester City boss Mark Hughes has told old team-mate Roy Keane he is not the only one with a fierce hunger to succeed as a manager.After his surprise appointment as Ipswich manager on Thursday, Keane fingered Hughes as 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.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.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."Roy is just making a statement," smiled Hughes."The media are very glad he is back on the scene because he is good value."I don't think many managers who get appointed to a mid-table Championship team could make the impact Roy has."It is a compliment to him and the personality he has. He has taken on a big task there, just as I have here."It is about driving our clubs forward."In any case, Hughes does not feel achievement can be measured solely in terms of trophies.Including Europe, only four are on offer each season. And, even for a club of City's wealth, the title is somewhat unrealistic."Success is relative," said Hughes."With limited resources, maybe just competing in the Premier League against some of the best teams in Europe can be viewed as a success."It is about expectation and resources."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.Yet they can currently only dream of the thrilling end to the season that awaits Saturday's opponents Everton.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."Everton have a fantastic work ethic," said Hughes."It strikes you every time you watch them play."But the technical ability in that group is sometimes underestimated."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.Not since the victory at Sunderland in August have the Blues won on their travels.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.Yet, from his own experience, Hughes wonders if this is a time when David Moyes' men might be vulnerable."When you have a high-profile game and another one in midweek it can eventually take an edge off your play," said Hughes."It would be nice to think we could capitalise on that because we definitely need to improve our away form."City will be without a number of senior players on Merseyside, with Craig Bellamy, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Pablo Zabaleta all ruled out.Nigel de Jong is a major doubt too after suffering a thigh injury in last week's win over West Brom.At least Robinho is available, fresh from his first goal of 2009 and a reaffirmation of his desire to be at Eastlands next season."Robinho is happy here. We see that on a daily basis," said Hughes."He will benefit from the experience he has had with us this season."It is a stronger and more physical league that he has been used to and the intensity is[LNB]
