Strikers Earn The Plaudits

Last updated : 29 January 2009 By Sam
Robhino has been troubled with off the field problems of late whilst debutant Bellamy scored his first goal for the club in the 2-1 win at Eastlands on Wednesday night.

"Robinho was fully focused and looking ahead to the game," Hughes said after the game.

"Mentally he was in the right place, he was concentrating on the job in hand and it was never any real doubt for me that he should play.

"The good thing was he played an intelligent ball to release Shaun Wright-Phillips for our first goal.

"The icing on the cake was Bellamy's performance. Craig will strengthen this team because he is a quality player.

"A lot of people's judgement of him is clouded by past misdemeanours but there is no doubt what he can bring to us.

"His pace and running off the ball is something we have not really had and he can help open up defences for us.

"Craig could have stayed at West Ham and been a top player for them for five years. He could have been up there with Paolo Di Canio as one of their very best.

"But he wants to be remembered for football and he wants to make his mark on the game.

"He wants to play at the top level and wants to be part of what we are trying to achieve here."