Hughes remains bullish on future
Mark Hughes emerged from a barrage of questions about his future to insist he is still the right man to turn things around at QPR.
Hughes' men will try to secure their first Barclays Premier League win of the season at the 12th attempt when they welcome Southampton to Loftus Road.
Despite a glut of summer signings - some of them from such glamour clubs as Real Madrid and Inter Milan - Hughes has failed to spark his team in to life.
Saturday's game against Saints has been dubbed "El Sackio" given the current predicament of both managers, and Tony Fernandes' claim on Twitter last week that QPR "must win" the six-pointer against the south-coast club, who are one point above rock-bottom Rangers.
But Hughes insists he retains Fernandes' backing and the Welshman is adamant that he can drag the Londoners away from the foot of the table.
"My future doesn't hinge on this match," Hughes told a press conference.
"People shouldn't under-estimate the changes that have gone on at the club and I have been a big part of that.
"I have had great support from everyone. That doesn't just get swept aside because we are in a difficult situation.
"It is because of that work we have done before that sustains you and allows you time to get through this period.
"The club has moved forward in a massive way since I came in the door through the work I and my staff have done.
"Everyone is pulling together to take this club forward."
Hughes brushed off claims that Fernandes' tweet amounted to an ultimatum.
"I don't think it has been reported in the right context," the Welshman said.
"I don't think he was saying it is a must-win game."
Manchester United loanee Fabio is fit to make his return from a two-month hamstring injury lay-off, but Hughes could be without striker Bobby Zamora, who has a hip problem.
Rickie Lambert has backed Nigel Adkins to turn around Southampton's fortunes and believes the players should shoulder as much of the blame as the manager for their current plight.
Saints' start to life back in the top flight after a seven-year absence has been far from ideal, conceding 29 goals and securing just five points from 11 Barclays Premier League matches.
Lambert is hopeful of a result in west London and joined the chorus of those backing the Southampton manager.
"I definitely want him to stay," the striker said. "He looks at me to try and lead the team as well and I am trying to obviously help him.
"I understand he is under pressure but it is not nice, it is not his fault, you know what I mean? It's all of our fault.
"It's little, little errors that are costing us at the moment but I think some of the performances this season we've deserved more points with what we've got.
"We've got the points we got, we know why we got them points but we can still believe we can turn it around.
"We know it is a big game, we know the circumstances of both teams, where we lie and how big three points will be for either side.
"We do understand that it is a big game but we're going about it like it's any other game, try to prepare like we always prepare."
Source: PA
