Brown seeks away boost

Hull manager taking inspiration from last season

Last updated: 19th February 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Brown seeks away boost

Brown: Determined

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Phil Brown has challenged his Hull City side to improve their form on the road ahead of the journey to West Ham.

The Tigers have failed to win a single Premier League match on their travels this season, collecting just four points.

Some of their most famous victories last term came away from the KC Stadium and Brown has told his players to use those memories as inspiration.

"With six (away) games to go we have to draw on what we actually picked up last year - a 2-1 win at the Emirates, a 1-0 win at White Hart Lane, a 2-1 win at Newcastle. Those are reference points to winning at this level," he explained.

"Everybody said our home form was the reason why we only just survived, this year it's the away form and we have to make sure the last six games we change that thought process."

Mouth-watering

The Hammers are level on points with Hull just outside the relegation zone and Brown is expecting a difficult clash as Gianfranco Zola's men have just beaten Birmingham.

He said: "They'll be buoyed by the fact they've just had a tremendous win and he plays good football, Gianfranco.

"He's stuck by his principles and we know it's going to be a good game of football and it's up to us to make sure we join in.

"It's a mouth-watering game, as are the next 12. A lot of people will be looking at the away form and suggesting we're not going to get any points away from home but they're all opportunities to get something."

Brown expects the relegation battle to go down to the wire but insists Hull have the mental strength to survive.

Challenge

"There's a collective belief in the camp that this club is going to be a Premier League club for a third year running," he stated.

"We're looking forward to the challenge at the end of the season rather than fearing it.

"It's like snakes and ladders. You go up the ladders when you win and you slide down the snakes when you get beat. And that's how close it is.

"You're looking around at the opposition to find that little loophole, mentally, and everyone's looking at you.

"We have to make sure we're strong mentally and at the moment the players look like they're relishing the challenge ahead, none more so than Upton Park on Saturday."