Just four weeks ago Hughes' position was under threat after the Cottagers slipped into the Premier League relegation zone, but after a run of just one defeat in six matches Fulham appear to have turned a corner and talk of the Welshman being replaced has disappeared. Sunday's 4-0 win - a display of flowing attacking performance was reminiscent of some of the displays which saw the Cottagers take Europe by storm last year under Hughes' predecessor Roy Hodgson and will only serve to strengthen the Welshman's position at the club. After originally struggling to get the best out of his team in the first half of the season, Hughes now believes they are beginning to adhere to the style of play he wants and is delighted that it is paying dividends. "I think you now see elements of what I am trying to instil in the team," the former Wales boss said. "When I came in I thought we could be a bit more of a dynamic team than we have been because of the personnel we have. "It was hamstrung somewhat because key individuals weren't available to me at the start of the season. Those key players are starting to come back, the likes of (Moussa) Dembele and Andy Johnson, and Bobby Zamora is still to come back. "We always thought we would be stronger in the second half of the season but we needed those key personnel to come back and thankfully they are now." Centre-back Brede Hangeland, who scored only his second goal in Fulham colours yesterday, agrees with his manager. "I think it took us a while to understand the way the new manager wants us to play, and it seems to be coming together now," he said. "We definitely looked stronger the last few weeks, since Christmas. We're enjoying it a lot more at the moment. "We used to be camped round our own box last year and the year before that. Whereas now we try and engage a little higher up the pitch and try and take the game to the opponents. "In recent weeks that's worked really well." Hangeland was on target to knock in Fulham's third after captain Danny Murphy had dispatched two penalties within the first 15 minutes to set the Cottagers well on their way to victory. Dembele added a fourth with a blistering strike on the stroke of half-time to seal the win. Murphy signed a one-year contract extension last week and is now likely to see out the rest of his career at the club he joined three-and-a-half years ago. Murphy was an integral part of Liverpool's success at home and abroad at the start of the last decade, and Hangeland insists that the midfielder is still just as good a player now at the age of 33. "He's as good as ever. He's instrumental in the middle of the park and his form in recent weeks has been one of the main reasons why we've done so well," Hangeland added. "I would say this about Danny, he's not one to talk and shout too much off the pitch, but he leads by example and when he has something to say it's always sensible. "I think we all learn that when he has something to say, it's best to listen." The victory set up a fifth-round clash at home against either Bolton or Wigan and Hangeland is relishing the prospect of reaching the latter stages of the FA Cup. "It's our chance to get some silverware. We had a great cup run in the Europa League last year so I think we're capable of going forward," the 29-year-old said. "We need a bit of luck of course, but we have a good team."
