Hughes defiant after Forest humble City

Mark Hughes dismissed fresh speculation about his future at Manchester City and vowed to carry on spending after watching his team make an embarrassing FA Cup exit.

Hughes was livid after watching his Premier League side crash to a 3-0 third round defeat at home to Nottingham Forest, who are 28 places below City in the league standings and can only dream of their vanquished rivals riches.

City were booed off the pitch at Eastlands but Hughes seemed to suggest the January transfer window would help solve the club's problems after his players failed to win for the eighth time in nine league and cup games.

A defeat at Portsmouth next Saturday would really turn up the heat on the former Wales and Blackburn manager.

Yet Hughes, who has secured the signature of left-back Wayne Bridge from Chelsea for 12 million pounds, said he intended to use the money of the club's oil-rich owners to freshen up his squad with further additions.

“I'm trying to be honest and I've known from day one the frailties of the team,” said Hughes, who was without the injured trio of Brazil star Robinho, Stephen Ireland and Nedum Onuoha.

“When we play well and everyone shows the same desire, we are a good team. But when we're off the pace then we're not.

“You need leaders and if you have talented players missing then that spark can be lacking.

“We need more players. It's not going to be easy, but we're looking to bring in new players.”

Hughes, a former Manchester United striker, believes fans have to be patient with his misfiring team.

“It's not as though this is a one-off game. This has happened before. This competition has gone now and we need to move on.” he added.

“I know what the situation is and where we are in development terms, but what we're trying to achieve isn't going to happen overnight.”

Former European champions Forest, now struggling at the foot of the second-tier Championship, thoroughly deserved their victory which came after goals by Nathan Tyson, Robert Earnshaw and substitute Joe Garner.

The Midlands side never looked back after storming into a 2-0 lead in the first-half.

Forest caretaker manager John Pemberton could not hide his delight after his second and final match in charge, before former Motherwell, Preston and Derby boss Billy Davies takes over on Monday, ended in a memorable victory.

“This is one of the highlights of my career. It's dream stuff,” said Pemberton. “I've thoroughly enjoyed the two games I've been in charge and the response of the players.

“The new manager came into the dressing room afterwards to congratulate us.

“My job is reserve team manager and I go back to it on Monday.

“This is special but next week I will be taking charge of the second-string for a match against Lincoln reserves.

“A good result would have been to have taken them back to City Ground but we scored at the right times. I'm extremely proud of the players.”