Injuries are costly for Fulham: Hughes

Fulham manager Mark Hughes insists he does not fear the sack and is focused on securing a vital victory against West Ham to kick-start his side’s season.

Reports have suggested that Hughes could be sacked if his team fail to beat the Premier League’s bottom side at Craven Cottage on Boxing Day.

But the Welshman, who only replaced Roy Hodgson in July, is adamant that his team’s struggles – they are only outside the relegation zone on goal difference having won twice all season – are due to injuries.

With Bobby Zamora and Mousa Dembele both sidelined for most of the season, Fulham have scored just 16 goals in 17 games, but Hughes is convinced it is only a matter of time before his side start to move up the table.

“I haven’t spoken to the chairman this week,” said Hughes.

“It (being one game from the sack) hasn’t been discussed with me.”

“It is very obvious where we are and the issues we have within the team. We aren’t scoring enough goals because of the personnel missing.”

“It is about making sure we are still working hard and doing the right things and wait for something to change for us.”

“Do I feel under pressure? Not particularly. I’ve been through this before, and people at the club understand the difficulties we have had this year, and that the work we do is good work.”

“At some point in the future we will turn our results into positive results and start climbing the league.”

Hughes is well aware that his side could shoot up the league if they string a series of results together, and admits the same is true of their opponents.

Avram Grant is also under pressure with his side at the bottom of the table at Christmas – with 17 of the last 18 teams to occupy that position relegated at the end of the season – but Hughes is not expecting a walkover.

“Historically, being bottom isn’t the best position as it means you could be in trouble,” Hughes added.

“But maybe this year could be the exception as the league is so tight in terms of points.”

“If you go on a run then it can shoot you up the league, and that will have sustained West Ham’s confidence.”

“And we don’t feel we are a million miles away from where we need to be performance-wise, but we need a cutting edge to help us win matches.”

“Our general play is good enough to take us up the league, I’m convinced of that.”