วันพฤหัสบดีที่ 2 ตุลาคม พ.ศ. 2551

Manager wants tie putting to bed early


Despite going into tonight's second leg UEFA Cup tie against AC Omonia with a 2-1 advantage, Mark Hughes has made it clear he wants to win the game and will be taking no chances against the Cypriot side.
He outlined his intent saying: "We just need to be positive and we need to win the game – I think that is clear.
"We’ve done okay in Europe and come through difficult games, where we were the favourites to go through, and that’s what we’ll be looking do to. We had a great performance at home the last time out [against Portsmouth] so we’ll be looking to replicate that.
"We are playing okay at the moment and if we continue that against Omonia then it will cause them a problem.
"It is key to get through the tie and my view is that we go with a strong team and then if we can have the luxury of making changes later in the game then that is what we will do.
"If I feel there’s an opportunity to freshen the side I will look at it but I think it’s important to get the tie put to bed first and foremost."
And the Blues boss refused to think beyond tonight's opponents at the City of Manchester Stadium and into the group stages that would follow.
"No we are not looking that far ahead," he stated. "Let’s just get this game out of the way and the group stage is the prize and the attraction for us because we want to stay in the competition and have a real go at it."
Having had previous experience of UEFA Cup football with Blackburn, Hughes knows the value of playing on the European stage and the benefits it could provide on the domestic front.
He said: "It gives you different experiences and different problems to solve. That helps you coming back to domestic competition.
"It is the same at City. If we get into the group stages then that is the first objective achieved. You are then guaranteed a number of games that takes you into the New Year and that is important.
"But first of all we need to overcome a spirited Omonia side, who caused a couple of problems in the first leg.
"We need to put this tie to bed quite quickly. We need to start strong and dictate the tempo."
Tickets are still available for tonight's game, click here for more info >

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