Shaun Wright-Phillips backs Mark Hughes to turn Man City from a joke

Mark Hughes

Shaun Wright-Phillips is backing Mark Hughes to stop Manchester City becoming the laughing stock of football.

Shaun Wright-Phillips closes down Ashley Young (Pic:Getty)

The Blues have become something of a joke down the years because of their huge capacity for messing things up.

Even their fans have developed a gallows humour at their unerring ability to snatch disaster from the jaws of success down the years.

But Wright-Phillips, who has suffered through many of these embarrassments, claims they can shed that reputation under Hughes.

The England winger is impressed by the progress the Blues manager has made at Eastlands and feels the joke will no longer be on City.

"The fact that on the day I came back to City we stayed in the UEFA Cup through a lastminute own goal against Midtjylland and then won a dramatic penalty shoot-out made me smile," said WrightPhillips.

"I've been here that long that I'm used to that being the way with City - it was always like that when I was coming through the ranks.

"We always liked to do the things the hard way, but hopefully the boss is slowly but surely getting that out of us now and this is a club geared for sustained success."

Hughes has signalled his intent by splashing out £30million on Roque Santa Cruz and Gareth Barry - with Carlos Tevez to follow next week.

And Wright-Phillips is a big fan of Hughes, claiming he was a major factor in his decision to return to City last summer. "With the additions the manager has made this summer, hopefully we will be flying this season," he said.

"He was one of the reasons, along with the fans and the fact that the club is in my heart, that I came back 'home'."

Not everyone at City is happy with Hughes' Blue revolution and Felipe Caicedo claims he wants to join Sporting Lisbon unless he is given guarantees about his future.

Caicedo is frustrated at his lack of first-team opportunities and the striker is ready to leave because he fears he will have even fewer chances next season following the arrival of Santa Cruz.

"City have still not said anything to me about my future and I have not changed my decision," said the Ecuador international.

"I want to play more minutes and the challenge of the Champions League would be excellent.

"Sporting Lisbon would be a good alternative if I am not in Hughes' plans .

"They have contacted my agents and it is necessary for me to have a choice in front of me."

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