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Hughes on scientific path to gain success

Martyn Ziegler
Wednesday 22 September 2004 00:00 BST
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Mark Hughes made himself scarce when his new charges at Blackburn were introduced to his first innovation - post-match ice baths - but the Welshman insists that he will continue to follow the scientific path to achieving success.

Mark Hughes made himself scarce when his new charges at Blackburn were introduced to his first innovation - post-match ice baths - but the Welshman insists that he will continue to follow the scientific path to achieving success.

Hughes is a disciple of the same approach as managers such as Arsène Wenger, at Arsenal, and Jose Mourinho, at Chelsea, and he has already made an impact in his first week as Blackburn manager.

"I kept out of the way when they first went into the ice baths on Saturday - I think there could have been a few profanities flying around in my direction,"Hughes said.

"In truth I don't think there were too many complaints - you have to explain the reasons why you are doing it and I think as long as you keep giving players information then they understand.

"People with greater knowledge than myself tell me that ice baths are the correct and the right way to recover players after a hard 90 minutes. If the sports scientists come to me and convince me that something will be of value to the players to enable them to perform better then I am receptive to that.

"I introduced the ice baths with the Welsh team and it had an impact. It seemed to help, so I have introduced it here as well."

Apart from the ice baths, which the players had to get into three times for 30 seconds, Hughes and his assistants, Mark Bowen and Eddie Niedzwiecki, have also introduced several changes to training.

Hughes added: "We have had a number of sessions now and I have my own way of doing things and it's a bit different to what the players are used to, but they seem very receptive."

The Blackburn manager is expected to make several changes to the line-up when Bournemouth visit in the Carling Cup tonight. Hughes will use the game to look at some of the players who did not figure in his first game in charge on Saturday. Craig Short will miss the tie, but a scan has revealed no serious damage to his medial ligament and he should be back after two or three weeks. David Thompson, Steven Reid and Andy Todd are all still missing with injury.

Hughes added: "I'm looking forward to the game. We are up against a good footballing side in Bournemouth. They have always tried to nurture their younger players and they play football in the right way."

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