Hughes displays talent for picking players

Mark Hughes believes his gift for spotting talent may have been overlooked amid the extravagance of his reign at Manchester City.

Fulham striker Clint Dempsey stole the show at Craven Cottage on Saturday after firing both goals in the 2-0 victory over Wigan.

But the USA international had to share centre stage with Mexico defender Carlos Salcido, a €1.8m summer signing from PSV Eindhoven.

Salcido has become a key attacking player and is establishing a reputation as a dynamic left back capable of delivering pinpoint crosses.

Hughes is pleased to have unearthed another gem and believes it is a skill he has not always been given credit for during spells at Blackburn, City and now Fulham.

“I enjoy the part of spotting a player’s potential,” said the Cottagers manager.

“Maybe it was forgotten I could do that when I was at City because people presumed I could cherry pick players, spending lots of money...which I probably did!

“But prior to that I actually had a track record of picking decent players.

“I’ll back my judgment on players time and time again. I like to think I’m good at it.”

Salcido’s remarkably swift acclimatisation to the Premier League has meant the departure of Paul Konchesky has barely been noticed.

Konchesky joined former Fulham manager Roy Hodgson at Liverpool in a £4million deal but Hughes believes he has signed a superior replacement.

“I’d seen Carlos, the level he’d played at and his experience and didn’t see it as a risk allowing Paul to go. Now you’re starting to see what Carlos can do. He’s very humble and enjoys his work.”

Salcido provided the cross for Dempsey to nod home the opener after half an hour, before Chris Baird teed-up the American for the second with a clever pass a minute before the interval.

Wigan were playing their third game in eight days and the workload had clearly taken its toll as they barely mounted an attack all match.

However, manager Roberto Martinez is refusing to hit the panic button.

“I’m not worried about being dragged down into the relegation struggle,” he said. “I know the talent and personalities I have in this squad. In the last two games we should have had six points, not four.

“We need to be realistic. Against Fulham we weren’t good enough and there are reasons for that.

“We have to make sure it doesn’t happen again.”