Hughes defiant amid City speculation

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Hughes was pleased that owner Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan and chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak were in broad agreement of his strategy. However, the backing has done little to appease Dr Sulaiman Al Fahim who claims the organisation he used to be front were distinctly underwhelmed by Hughes' observations and January transfer targets.

But Hughes is adamant the only people viewing his relationship with the men now in control at Eastlands in a negative light are those with a vested interest, claiming: "I understand why that is happening. Maybe people have an agenda because it benefits them."

He added: "They have to manipulate situations where pressure is applied.

"A lot of people have an interest in what we are doing here. In some people's eyes, they will also see the amount of money they could make in terms of signings if they could make things happen.

"They will drive that situation forward to suit their own ends. That has been the case in recent times.

"We have placed pressure on ourselves because results have not been what we want. People have jumped on that situation and tried to increase that pressure.

"We are grown men. We understand what is happening. It is not a surprise. It is predictable. But make no mistake, the owner and chairman are very aware of it and won't stand for it."