The past nine days have seen Newcastle and Blackburn axe their bosses, despite both clubs being in mid-table in the Premier League. City were very much in the fight for a top-four spot - the target set by the club's hierarchy - when Hughes was given the boot almost exactly a year ago. The 47-year-old said: "Listen, I got sacked when I was sixth. The logic of football sackings and dismissals seems to have gone out of the game of late, and it doesn't show any signs of changing in that respect. "I think anybody in a position at a football club could come under pressure, irrespective of how well or how badly you're deemed to be performing." Hughes had a warning for former side Blackburn following their dismissal of Sam Allardyce, suggesting it may be unrealistic for Rovers' new owners to expect the club to break into the Premier League top five. "I think it is possible but it's more difficult year on year because of the amount of money that's coming into the Premier League and the number of clubs that are really investing," said Hughes, who led the Lancashire side to sixth place four years ago. "I got into sixth position one year at Blackburn and it was a huge effort, a massive effort by everybody - not just the team but the staff. "Everyone had to pull together really strongly to make it happen and we had a great season. But the key is to try and sustain that. "If owners are demanding that's the norm, then it becomes even harder." Hitting out at the surprise sackings of Allardyce and Chris Hughton, he added: "It just seems to be more prevalent - that's the unfortunate thing. "And I think it's another example of a case where new owners come in and if you're not appointed by them then very quickly you find yourself in a position where your position comes under threat, not by virtue of doing the job incorrectly or poorly, but just by virtue of the fact that you weren't appointed by the new ownership. "It's frustrating and, at times, it feels unfair. I went through that similar situation. But Sam will bounce back, he's got a great reputation in the game. I'm sure he'll be back very soon." Hughes may start to find himself under pressure if Fulham's current seven-match winless run does not end soon. The past month-and-a-half has seen the Cottagers sucked into a relegation dogfight and they are only outside the bottom three on goal difference. Despite seeing colleagues who have achieved better results being given the chop, Hughes is adamant he still enjoys the confidence of his paymasters. "I think it's a case of being at a club that understands where we are at this moment in time and the problems that we've got in terms of selection of key personnel," said Hughes, who has been without several strikers for much of the season. He was hoping to have one of them, Moussa Dembele, back for Saturday's game at Liverpool but revealed today the Belgian had returned home for more treatment on his ankle injury. "We're hopeful that he'll get the green light to rejoin training next week," he added.
