Hughes insists Fernandes’ ‘must-win’ tweet was taken out of context

Mark Hughes has dismissed suggestions he is likely to lose his job as QPR boss if his team fail to win this weekend.

Rangers meet fellow strugglers Southampton at Loftus Road in a game that has been dubbed ‘El Sackico’ following reports that Saints boss Nigel Adkins could also be fired if his team lose.

QPR chairman Tony Fernandes, who has consistently backed Hughes, appeared to many to hint that the manager’s future could be on the line by remarking on Twitter that the fixture was a must-win game.

But Hughes is adamant his fate does not depend on the result of Saturday’s encounter.

“It doesn’t hinge on this match at all,” he said.

“What Tony said on Twitter I don’t think has been reported in the right context.

“I don’t think he was saying it’s a must-win game in that context, but I understand it’s going to be picked up and labelled as such.

“We’re two managers at the wrong end of the table so are coming under the spotlight and discussed at length.

“The only way to change that is by winning games and that’s our intention.”

And Hughes, who still believes a top-half finish is possible for Rangers this season, remains convinced they are close to turning the corner.

He said: “From the outside maybe the perception is that it’s all doom and gloom.

“That’s not the case though. We know we’re close to turning it around.

“We’ve had a difficult start but said at the beginning of the season that, given all the changes here, it was possible the start would be difficult.

“Nobody thought it would go on as long as it has done, that’s fair to say, but there are a lot of games left to play and great belief.

“Everyone here knows we’re close to turning it around and, when we do, everyone will see what a good team we are.”

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