Hughes says Robinho hat-trick is just the start

Mark Hughes reckons Robinho can still take his game to another level at Manchester City after his hat-trick against Stoke City sealed a 3-0 win here at Eastlands.

The Brazilian striker, a British record 32.5 million pounds buy from Spanish giants Real Madrid last month, took his goal tally for City to six in eight games with this treble against the Premier League newcomers.

But despite his fine form in a City shirt, manager Hughes insists that Robinho will only improve once he becomes more physically attuned with the demands of English football.

“Robinho is enjoying himself in the Premier League, but I think he will get even stronger and more influential for us as a consequence of playing in this league,” the former Manchester United and Wales striker explained.

“Obviously, we look at the information we have and there will be a time when we have to look at the amount of games he is playing for us. But I don't think he will have a problem maintaining his high standards right through to the end of the season.

“His awareness of the players around him and his eye for a pass, with the correct angle and pace, is as good as I've seen and it just shows the quality that he has.

“We can give him the platform and opportunity to show what he can do. Maybe he hasn't had the feeling in the past, but he has responded in a really positive way the crowd love him and rightly so.

“He was excellent for us today (Sunday), not just with his goals, but with his appreciation of his team-mates and how he contributed in an attacking sense. It was 3-0, but it could've been many more on another day.”

City's victory, and Robinho's hat-trick, were due largely to the efforts of young forwards Ched Evans and Daniel Sturridge, who both performed in place of flu victim Jo and Hughes said the 19-year-olds' performance highlighted the importance of City's well-respected youth policy.

“It is important that young players continue to come through at this club for the benefit of the team. I and my staff recognise that and the owners recognise that as well.”

Stoke's defeat extended their winless run away from home to five Premier League games.

Tony Pulis's side have picked up just one point on their travels and the manager admitted his players had enough chances to end that run against City.

“Ricardo Fuller had two great chances and Ryan Shawcross had a header which the keeper made a great save from, so we had four or five chances.

“But the second goal killed us and we had to chase the game. City have so much quality on the break that they will punish you and that's what they did.

“It will be interesting to see how the better teams deal with them, though. They suck you in and hit you, but the teams with better players, it will be interesting to see how they handle them.”