Hughes: Euro glory would not ease City scrutiny

MARK HUGHES is not convinced the scrutiny on him as Manchester City manager would reduce even if he ended the Blues’ 33-year trophy drought by winning the UEFA Cup this season.

City entertain Aalborg at Eastlands tonight, their third Danish opponents in a competition they entered as Fair Play winners in the first qualifying round back in July.

Victory would see City claim a quarter-final berth, leaving them just a couple of rounds away from a place in Istanbul on May 20 but Hughes does not feel it would ease the pressure.

“I don’t see the scrutiny we are under lessening anytime soon,” said Hughes. “We must get used to that. It is about dealing with that pressure and those expectations. As I keep stressing, the expectations some people have for us are a little bit unrealistic.

“First, we need to become a team that is solid and understands how to win games. We can compete in this league. What we have to do is compete consistently.”

One of the reason City find themselves trying to cope with such high demands is the amount of money being lavished on the team, in particular Robinho who has returned from a brief trip back to South America having apparently recovered from the ankle injury that kept him out of last week’s impressive win over Aston Villa.

“At times Robinho gets overly criticised,” said Hughes.

“When we have not played well away from home, he seems to get the brunt of it because he is one of our most high-profile players. But people have to take into account that he is one of our more creative and attack-minded players and teams will try to make sure he doesn’t have a positive impact.

“Robinho has the ability to unlock the door. When it is difficult to break teams down sometimes you need a flash of inspiration or a bit of brilliance. Robinho has that capability.”

Hughes’ planning has been thrown into disarray by the toe injury that threatens Vincent Kompany’s participation. As Nigel de Jong is not registered — he probably would not have played anyway due to a knee injury — City might be without both first-choice central midfield players.

With Dietmar Hamann a long-term absentee, Hughes may be forced to call on Gelson Fernandes and Elano.

Although they were hammered by Man United in Denmark last September in the Champions League, Aalborg proved their worth with the result at Old Trafford.

“They are well organised and get people back in position quickly when they lose possession, which is something we have found difficult overcoming this season,” said Hughes.

In the other games this evening, CSKA Moscow entertain Shakhtar Donetsk

Dynamo Kiev host Metalist Kharkiv and Hamburg welcome Galatasaray (all 5pm). In France, Marseille go up against Ajax (7.45pm) and PSG play Braga (7.15pm) while Italian side Udinese clash with Zenit St Petersburg (7.45pm) and Bundesliga outfit Werder Bremen take on St Etienne (7.30pm).