Heat is on Hughes: Man City boss has to lift the gloom at Eastlands

Mark Hughes led a 30-minute dressing room inquest after Manchester City lost to Spurs on Wednesday night as the club's directors left White Hart Lane stoney-faced.There was no time for a leisurely drink with Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp as City boss Hughes picked up the pieces of a defeat that could have enormous implications.One major betting company, William Hill, suspended betting on Hughes being the next Barclays Premier League manager to be sacked after a flurry of wagers. That may not mean anything in the short term, but nerves are beginning to fray at City. Heat is on: Under fire City boss Mark Hughes must lift the gloom at EastlandsAccording to informed sources, Hughes had the away dressing room locked for a long period after City's dismal 3-0 defeat, though he still found time to say a brief farewell to rival Redknapp.City midfielder Gareth Barry admitted tempers had been raised. 'There were a lot of hurt players in there and the lads were really at each other's throats,' said Barry. 'It's the way we've lost we've lost a lot of pride.' Barry and Manchester City left wounded after their mauling at TottenhamSpurs, Aston Villa or Manchester City - which team can gatecrash the top four this season?THE FIRING LINE: Gianfranco Zola and Phil Brown at mercy of the big boys - but find out who can enjoy Christmas cheerCompetition: Win a pair of tickets for Manchester City v Stoke on Boxing Day - courtesy of BarclaysMANCHESTER CITY FC

Source: Daily_Mail