Source: Daily_Mail
Fulham can rest who they like! West Ham complaint dismissed by Cottagers defender Aaron Hughes
Fulham defender Aaron Hughes insists boss Roy Hodgson is entitled to rest his players whenever he feels it is necessary. [LNB]The Premier League are expected to talk to Fulham this week following West Ham's complaint that they fielded a weakened team in their 2-0 defeat to Hull last week. [LNB]The league have already confirmed that the Hammers made an official protest at Fulham's decision to make six changes to their side against the Tigers. [LNB] Rotation: Clint Dempsey was one player brought in for the match defeat to Hull[LNB]West Ham co-owner David Sullivan believes Fulham broke league rules by resting key players ahead of last week's Europa League quarter-final against Wolfsburg, which Fulham won 2-1. [LNB]The Cottagers made just one change to the side that beat the Germans when they defeated Wigan 2-1 at Craven Cottage yesterday. Jason Scotland had put Wigan in front in the 34th minute with his first Barclays Premier League strike for the club. But second-half goals from substitute Stefano Okaka and Brede Hangeland kept Wigan dangerously close to the relegation zone. [LNB] Outspoken: Northern Ireland defender Aaron Hughes in action for Fulham[LNB]Defender Hughes backed his manager's decision to rest players. 'He's entitled to do what he wants - at the end of the day he's the manager,' said Hughes. 'If he wants to rest a few players and change a few things then that is his call, it is something that you see all the time but people tend to make a big deal out it when a team loses. [LNB]'The manager did what he needed to do and we certainly support that. Wehave not always had the luxury of resting players either. This is justwhat happens when you're involved in Europe and the latter stage of acup competition. Those clubs that are used to such occurrences will allmix things up, bring players in and rest those that need it, whyshouldn't we be able to do the same?'[LNB] Victory: Brede Hangeland (centre) celebrates Fulham's win over Wigan on Sunday[LNB]Hodgson will not be afraid to rest more players with six games to go. 'We will make changes in the forthcoming six games, some of these players do need a rest,' he said. [LNB]'It has been a magnificent season as far as I am concerned. What the players have done is lifted the club to another level. We have been given an awful lot of credit and the fans have been magnificent on European nights.'[LNB] [LNB]Mastermind: Fulham manager Roy Hodgson[LNB]Fulham will now go to Wolfsburg on Thursday hoping to go on and reach the semi-finals of the Europa League. But while Europe has been a nice distraction for the club, Hughes says a top-10 finish in the league remains a priority. [LNB] 'I think everyone would agree that we have come a long way but at the same time we are under no illusions of what we need to achieve,' said Hughes. 'It would definitely be nice to finish in the top half but it will be tough because there are three or four teams with similar ambitions. [LNB]'It would be a great achievement though, especially when you consider the amount of games we have had to play.'[LNB]Captain Danny Murphy believes Fulham can go to Wolfsburg and finish the job to claim a place in the last four. [LNB]'I am very confident we can score ourselves in the second leg, so we will go there with the belief that we can and then they will have to score three to win the tie,' he said. [LNB]'Their goal right at the end took the gloss off an otherwise fantastic night, but I don't think we should be too harsh on ourselves.'[LNB] Mohamed Al Fayed: I don't care what West Ham thinkWe have no case to answer! Hodgson scoffs at West Ham's Fulham complaintWEST HAM UNITED FC
