Fulham vs Blackburn Rovers preview - Hughes believes Fulham on the up

Posted Saturday, March 05, 2011 by PA

Manager Mark Hughes believes the only way is up for Fulham and has backed his players to secure a top-half finish in the Barclays Premier League.

The Cottagers' relegation worries have been quelled in recent times by an impressive run of form that has seen them beaten only once since New Year's Day, moving up to 13th place in the process.

However, Hughes' side still lie just four points above the relegation zone heading into Saturday's clash with his former club Blackburn and know they could yet be sucked into the relegation mire.

While Fulham have lost just eight of their 28 Premier League matches this season, the Londoners have drawn half of their games with the latest point coming last weekend at another of Hughes' former charges, Manchester City.

The Welshman believes such inability to eke out a victory has cost his side dearly since taking over from Roy Hodgson in the summer, yet he believes his players have the attitude and aptitude to push up the table.

"I think we are doing well, we've moved on," said Hughes.

"The team has added qualities that maybe it didn't have before we came, certainly the way we approach away games and the way we take the game to the opposition away from home is something that is a positive for us.

"In terms of points accumulated, we would say we feel we are probably better than the points we have.

"We have had a hell of a lot of draws that even if we had converted a very small number of those draws then we would be very comfortably in the top 10, which is where I feel we should be.

"But we are quite calm and reasonably pleased with where we are and certainly next year we feel we can kick on."

He added: "We have been playing well for a long time. I would be more concerned if we were showing inconsistent form, struggling in games and conceding poor goals.

"That's not the case in our view and we're playing good stuff, creating chances against top quality opposition.

"I'm very pleased with what we're doing at the moment and that's why I look at the teams above us rather than the ones below us."

Fulham are boosted by the return of Bobby Zamora for the game.

The England international missed last weekend's match at Manchester City after going over on his ankle in training just days after making his long-awaited comeback from a broken leg.

Midfielder Steven Sidwell continues to miss out with knee ligament trouble, while long-term absentee Philippe Senderos needs more work after feeling tightness in his hamstrings.

Meanwhile, Steve Kean ordered his Blackburn players in for extra shifts this week in the hope they can enjoy a reversal of fortune.

The Scottish boss felt the need for a strong reaction as he was disappointed by the manner of the 4-1 away defeat to Aston Villa last weekend.

That was Blackburn's third loss in four league games and suddenly they are looking over their shoulders at the bottom group.

Kean is refusing to panic, though, and believes they can reap the benefits at his old stamping ground Fulham.

He said: "We've had a long week. Normally we train very hard on a Tuesday and give the players Wednesday off.

"But they have been in all week and put in a lot of hard work on the training ground. Hopefully we will get the rewards of that.

"We had a good meeting with the players on Tuesday afternoon. We watched certain aspects of the game against Villa. The mood has been good.

"Now we need to try and dictate the play against Fulham. We haven't given enough good service to the front men in recent weeks and that has been a little bit disappointing."

Former Barcelona B striker Ruben Rochina is named in the squad for the first time.

Rochina's arrival in the group is a timely boost for Kean as Roque Santa Cruz is doubtful because of a back problem.

Kean said: "Ruben has trained well. He is showing signs of being up to pace with the intensity of our training, so he will be involved.

"Hopefully Roque's back injury can clear up and he can get a good run in the last 10 games. He is so enthusiastic about giving something back to the fans. He has been as frustrated as they have been."

David Dunn is sidelined with a hip injury but expected to return for the match against Blackpool next week.