We’re ‘absolutely’ safe – Fulham boss Mark Hughes insists have secured their Premier League status and targets top-half finish

Mark Hughes – Fulham

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Fulham manager Mark Hughes has urged his players not to take their foot off the gas after the secured Premier League safety with a 3-0 home victory against Bolton on Wednesday, after insisting his side are ‘absolutely’ safe from the threat of relegation.

The former Manchester City boss hailed his side’s recent performances, and the way they adapted to the physical threat of Owen Coyle’s men at Craven Cottage, yet has laid down the gauntlet to his side, and challenged them to a top ten finish with four games remaining in the campaign.

Speaking at the post-match press-conference, Mark Hughes said: “Thought we were excellent, it was a different test. At the weekend against Wolves I thought we were excellent in terms of getting the ball down.

“Tonight we had to answer physical questions. People say Bolton have changed how they play, but you know your going to have to deal with Kevin Davies, whose adept at flicking balls on. Thought we dealt with it really well.

“We added goals to our play, which is very satisfying for everybody. I felt we were a top 10 side at the start of the season, we’re in the top 10 now. It’s the second occasion this year, now it’s up to us to ensure we remain there until the end of the season.”

The 47-year-old also reserved praise for midfielder Clint Dempsey, with the American scoring his 11th and 12th Premier League goals of the season against Owen Coyle’s men, before defender Brede Hangeland added a third to ensure all three points.

“He Dempsey is really important for us, especially in first part of season. We were struggling and I didn’t feel we had the quality we needed,” Hughes added.

“He still made an impact even if he didn’t score he’d create things for someone else.

“Just lately in a couple games he’s looked tired, you ask yourself should you take him out but you can’t afford to.”

Hughes is now firmly confident his side have secured their Premier League status for another year, and is hopeful side can continue their unbeaten home record, with their remaining two games at Craven Cottage against Liverpool and Arsenal.

Asked if his side were now safe, the former Wales boss said: “Yes, absolutely. We had poor result here against West Ham when we didn’t perform on the day.

“We were in poor position, yet we knew we had awful lot of players coming back. My teams are always stronger in second half of the season.

“Still got challenges, which is good this time of year. They are two tough games in fairness at home. Yet I want to see where season takes us, there are opportunities to add to our away wins at Sunderland, who may be limited in the numbers they can put on the field.”