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Lifted from the Daily Mail
Fulham chairman Mohamed Al Fayed flips but backs Mark Hughes with January funds
By Simon Jones
Last updated at 11:02 PM on 25th November 2010
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Mohamed Al Fayed has vowed to back Mark Hughes in the January transfer window after venting his fury over Fulham's humbling by Manchester City.
The flamboyant Fulham chairman was angered by his side's meek performance and voiced his frustration at manager Hughes on Sunday night following the 4-1 defeat at Craven Cottage.
However, the 77-year-old did not leave it there and took it on himself to address the firstteam squad and staff personally at training on Tuesday.
Get it sorted: Mohamed Al Fayed has backed Mark Hughes to reverse Fulham's fortunes, giving him money to spend in January
Al Fayed is understood to have scolded the players over a dip in form which has seen them plummet to 17th in the Barclays Premier League - level on points with third-from- bottom Wigan - and said that they should be building on their displays of last season when the team received rave reviews as they reached the Europa League final.
His words of warning shocked some of the squad but he was keen to show support for Hughes, 47, whom he values as a shrewd manager.
Recognising that injuries to key players such as Bobby Zamora have had an effect on the team, Al Fayed said he is willing to help Hughes strengthen the squad and bankroll a January spending spree which the former Manchester City boss believes can push them into European contention.
Plenty to ponder: Shay Given is just one potential target for Hughes
Hughes has concerns in attack, wide midfield and at goalkeeper, where Mark Schwarzer has yet to commit his future to the club and, even if he does, is likely to be missing for most of January as he joins Australia for the Asia Cup.
Hughes has made no secret of his admiration for Manchester City's Shay Given and want-away striker Roque Santa Cruz, and Shaun Wright- Phillips may also come into consideration.
Fulham scouts have been monitoring Middlesbrough keeper Jason Steele, Tranmere's teenage winger Dale Jennings and Freiburg striker Demba Cisse.
Aston Villa's Luke Young has been watched and they want a right back, despite Chris Baird's return from injury last Sunday.
Indeed, an embarrassed Baird was quick to acknowledge Fulham's inept display against City.
He said: 'We didn't do the things we were supposed to do against City, which was get in their faces early on and play in their half. We were sloppy and it wasn't like us at all.
'We have to move on and, hopefully, we can turn it around this weekend against Birmingham City. We're going to give 100 per cent and deliver a much better display. It's not nice looking at the table and seeing us in 17th place but I think we're in a false position - we're a much better team than we showed last weekend.
'I feel confident we can climb into the top half of the table and cement
Fulham chairman Mohamed Al Fayed flips but backs Mark Hughes with January funds
By Simon Jones
Last updated at 11:02 PM on 25th November 2010
Comments (0) Add to My Stories EXCLUSIVE
Mohamed Al Fayed has vowed to back Mark Hughes in the January transfer window after venting his fury over Fulham's humbling by Manchester City.
The flamboyant Fulham chairman was angered by his side's meek performance and voiced his frustration at manager Hughes on Sunday night following the 4-1 defeat at Craven Cottage.
However, the 77-year-old did not leave it there and took it on himself to address the firstteam squad and staff personally at training on Tuesday.
Get it sorted: Mohamed Al Fayed has backed Mark Hughes to reverse Fulham's fortunes, giving him money to spend in January
Al Fayed is understood to have scolded the players over a dip in form which has seen them plummet to 17th in the Barclays Premier League - level on points with third-from- bottom Wigan - and said that they should be building on their displays of last season when the team received rave reviews as they reached the Europa League final.
His words of warning shocked some of the squad but he was keen to show support for Hughes, 47, whom he values as a shrewd manager.
Recognising that injuries to key players such as Bobby Zamora have had an effect on the team, Al Fayed said he is willing to help Hughes strengthen the squad and bankroll a January spending spree which the former Manchester City boss believes can push them into European contention.
Plenty to ponder: Shay Given is just one potential target for Hughes
Hughes has concerns in attack, wide midfield and at goalkeeper, where Mark Schwarzer has yet to commit his future to the club and, even if he does, is likely to be missing for most of January as he joins Australia for the Asia Cup.
Hughes has made no secret of his admiration for Manchester City's Shay Given and want-away striker Roque Santa Cruz, and Shaun Wright- Phillips may also come into consideration.
Fulham scouts have been monitoring Middlesbrough keeper Jason Steele, Tranmere's teenage winger Dale Jennings and Freiburg striker Demba Cisse.
Aston Villa's Luke Young has been watched and they want a right back, despite Chris Baird's return from injury last Sunday.
Indeed, an embarrassed Baird was quick to acknowledge Fulham's inept display against City.
He said: 'We didn't do the things we were supposed to do against City, which was get in their faces early on and play in their half. We were sloppy and it wasn't like us at all.
'We have to move on and, hopefully, we can turn it around this weekend against Birmingham City. We're going to give 100 per cent and deliver a much better display. It's not nice looking at the table and seeing us in 17th place but I think we're in a false position - we're a much better team than we showed last weekend.
'I feel confident we can climb into the top half of the table and cement