Mark Hughes: 'salary cap non-starter'
Updated on 31 October 2008
Manchester City boss Mark Hughes has poured cold water on Bolton chairman Phil Gartside's calls for Premier League wage restrictions.
The manager of the so-called 'richest club in the world' says the idea of restricting wages is likely to be a non-starter.
Hughes also called for his side to toughen up defensively in their meeting with Bolton on Sunday.
He said: "I don't think it [the salary cap] will happen - I think it would be against European rules.
"There are a lot of discussions that go on at Premier League chairmen level; but how realistic they really are I don't know.
"With regard to stopping relegation; I think he [Gartside] is just trying to protect his club's position. I don't think that is going to happen either."
'It's important that players show emotion and can have an interaction with the crowd - as long as it's done in the right way.'Manchester City manager Mark Hughes
Regarding on the pitch matters, Hughes said he was looking for more clean sheets from his back four away from home. They have leaked ten goals away from home already this season.
He said: "When we are playing away from home we are playing an expansive game and scoring lots of goals.
"But we have not had a settled back four all season due to injuries and suspensions.
"Defenders - like attackers - get into a rhythm of play. And a settled back four helps that."
Man City have only won one game away from home in the Premier League so far this season, and Hughes says they need to be tougher to beat on their travels.
He said: "We have to be more adept at taking points from away games. We will always create chances but we need to make sure we have a defensive platform to build on."
Hughes warned that Bolton, who are second from bottom, were more than a one-dimensional outfit.
Hughes said: "They [Bolton] are under pressure to get results like everyone else. They are at home and the onus will be on them to come at us.
"We need to make sure that we get the ball down and play our football and create chances. Defending will be a collective effort from everyone in the team.
"Bolton have a way of playing that's well known. But they are more than just a side that knocks the ball into the channels."
After a week which saw both Wayne Rooney and Joey Barton in trouble for kissing club badges, Hughes defended players' right to show passion.
He said: "It's important that players show emotion and can have an interaction with the crowd - as long as it's done in the right way.
"Showing your feeling for the club is something that players should do. Where you are on sticky ground is if you are doing it in the direction of opposition supporters."
