Fulham defender Aaron Hughes has admitted that the Cottagers have to rekindle last season’s end-of-term heroics on the road if they are to establish themselves as a Premier League force this season.

Back-to-back Craven Cottage wins over Arsenal and Bolton have lifted the Londoners to the dizzy heights of seventh in the early going.

But after sliding to an opening day defeat at new boys Hull, Hughes has called on his side to return to the form of last April/May, where three successive away wins saved almost-certain relegation.

Hughes said: “It is very important that we start to pick up away points.

“You like to think that you will get the majority of your points at home with the crowd behind you.

“But that is what separates the top teams from everyone else - the ability to be more consistent on the road.

“We ended last season on a high on our travels, and we have to keep that run going - starting at Blackburn on Saturday.”

The weekend’s 2-1 defeat of Bolton saw the strike partnership of Bobby Zamora and Andy Johnson in tandem for the first time this season.

And the Northern Ireland defender revealed the squad was buzzing after the display from their potent frontline.

Hughes added: “It certainly looked good at the weekend.

“The partnership looked exciting and hopefully we can get the best out of them both over the next few months.

“But I thought all round our football looked good against Bolton.

“We passed and moved the ball around really well.

“The movement was really good and we got a positive result because of it.

“It is vital that we build and keep this going.”