Mark Hughes has been urged to do all he can to buy Craig Bellamy after watching his new Fulham team slump to a toothless 1-0 defeat in a warm-up at Portsmouth.
Hughes, appointed on Thursday in succession to Roy Hodgson, took his seat in the directors' box at Fratton Park, but saw little to whet his appetite as the Championship side won with a close-range first-half effort from skipper Marc Wilson.
Fulham fielded 10 of those who started the Europa League final in Hamburg in May, but Hughes's new charges rarely got up a head of steam, Bobby Zamora missing three chances.
And afterwards midfielder Simon Davies said: 'Craig has been one of the best players in the Premier League for the last few years. If we could get him he would be a fantastic addition to the team.
'The manager will be trying as hard as he can to bring in players like that.' Hughes stayed for the 90 minutes but refused to speak to the media and left quickly.
Davies played under Hughes when he guided Wales to the brink of qualification for Euro 2004 and admits Hughes will find it tough to emulate Hodgson's achievements.
He said: 'Coming on the back of two of the most successful seasons the club has ever had will be a difficult job. But Mark is very ambitious and I'm sure he will be up for the challenge.'
Hughes, who agreed a two-year deal, will be formally unveiled on Tuesday before taking charge of his new team against Werder Bremen on August 7.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1299250/Portsmouth-1-Fulham-0-Mark-Hughes-told-sign-Craig-Bellamy.html
