Phil Brown has been battered from pillar to post this season but he is still Hull City manager.
A change of chairman, just four league victories in 2009 and apparent unrest have all seen Brown come under the microscope; however, their win against Stoke last time out has left them sitting outside the bottom three.
A crunch clash with West Ham tomorrow gives them an opportunity to put clear daylight between themselves and the relegation zone as victory would send them four points clear of the Hammers.
Brown has been publically backed by new chairman Adam Pearson, who is trying to stabilise the debt at the KC Stadium as well as maintain their lucrative Premier League status.
But Brown is a confident character and believes the Tigers have turned the corner on the road to survival with their victory against Stoke that lifted a lot of the gloom that had been permeating the Humberside air.
Q: HOW IMPORTANT WAS A FIT-AGAIN JIMMY BULLARD AGAINST STOKE?
A: We aren't a one-man band but he has an infectious habit of getting everyone around him playing the same way. If you have eight, nine or ten joining the party then you have a chance of winning the game. I think since beating Stoke we're seeing less pressure, but more confidence where the players are concerned. When you ask the players to play football, you have to play with confidence and we are seeing a little more confidence. Hopefully we can carry that into the West Ham game and get another good result.
Q: IT WAS A CRUCIAL VICTORY WASN’T IT?
A: It was everything we always call for. There was an awful lot of hype and negativity surrounding ourselves and the game and we turned that into a massive positive. The response of players and fans was outstanding on the day. But taking the heat off? I don't particularly want to make reference to any of that. As far as I was concerned it was the type of performance we were looking for. Hopefully we can revisit that performance against West Ham.
Q: THREE OF YOUR SQUAD - STEPHEN HUNT, PAUL McSHANE AND KEVIN KILBANE - WERE INVOLVED IN THE CONTROVERSIAL FRANCE-REPUBLIC OF IRELAND FIXTURE ON WEDNESDAY - WILL THAT HAVE AN IMPACT ON THEM THIS WEEKEND?
A: They have obviously had their disappointments over what happened on Wednesday. Our thoughts go out to the Irish team in the manner they were defeated but they have got a job to do back at Hull City. I would have no qualms or hesitation about all three coming back in good spirits. They're very experienced lads, all three of them. You sometimes forget Paul McShane is only 23 - he carries a wealth of experience. And putting an arm around Kevin Kilbane, 102 international caps? I don't think he'll take too kindly to that. I think he'll understand our situation and focus fully on the game on Saturday.
Q: WHAT SORT OF GAME ARE YOU EXPECTING AGAINST WEST HAM?
A: Every time I have watched West Ham I have been impressed with the way they play football. I think Gianfranco Zola has got a tremendous attitude towards the game. That is something you have to battle against, they have been unfortunate in a lot of games. We have got to put our best foot forward with regard to defence and make sure we apply ourselves when we have got the ball. And the main ingredient is keeping that spirit we had against Stoke.
Q: YOU TOOK THE SQUAD TO ITALY FOR A FRIENDLY FIXTURE DURING THE INTERNATIONAL BREAK – HOW WAS THAT?
A: We are going into this game with better preparation, better mentality and a better mindset in addressing a Premier League game. When we went to Atalanta I was looking at the body language and it was quite upbeat. Hopefully there will be more of that tomorrow.
