Brown - City ahead of target

Tigers boss says club has exceeded predicted points tally

Last updated: 4th October 2008

phil brown hull

Brown: Club ahead of schedule

Some players are easily excitable, others are not, but we have just seen the level of performance has gone up a notch in training.

Phil Brown
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Phil Brown claims Hull City are "ahead of schedule" as he prepares for the clash with Tottenham on Sunday.

Hull continued their superb start to life in the top flight with a memorable win at Arsenal last weekend.

The Tigers' form has has earned them 11 points from six games and Brown said: "We have set targets with the players and last week put us three points ahead of schedule.

"It has been a very interesting week in terms of how you see players react to important wins.

"Some players are easily excitable, others are not, but we have just seen the level of performance has gone up a notch in training.

"I don't know if we have won everyone over. All I know is we have got a job to do and we have got to do it to the best of our ability."

The Tigers visit a Tottenham side rooted to the foot of the Premier League but Brown fully expects a tough battle.

Pressure

He said: "There are pressures on players at Tottenham; the threat of relegation, the pressure of not performing, fans being disgruntled.

"There are pressures on their players but we have got to inflict pressure by playing to the best of our ability.

"They have proved in Uefa Cup ties they can win games and see teams off. It is the preparation for me, the mentality and preparation of our players that is going to be the most important."

Brown is hoping striker Marlon King can prove his fitness to participate after struggling all week with a back problem.

King, who scored both goals in last month's win at Newcastle, was rated as doubtful after being unable to participate in training on Friday.

Brown said: "He has come to the fore and is playing at the top of his game. It is one of them where we are trying to get him through the week and across the white line.

"If he can play some part that would be great because he is playing some good football for us."

Any further setbacks could see King miss out on a Jamaica return next week following his recall to the international set-up.