Source: Telegraph
Hull manager Phil Brown seeks edge as relegation dogfight heats up
Hull could be in the bottom three by the time they kick off against Aston Villa on Monday, should Newcastle or Middlesbrough produce shock results against title challengers Liverpool and Manchester United respectively.
That would seem an unlikely scenario but Brown, whose side have won just once in 18 matches, claims his players are ready for the challenge come what may.
He said: "All along we have had our destiny in our hands and if we are in the bottom three on Monday it will be up to us to get out of it.
"They are big asks for Newcastle and Middlesbrough but big things happen at this stage of the season. The advantage of Monday night is that we will know what we have to do.
"There are 72 teams outside the Premier League that would like to be in our position. We are all fighting for something."
Hull's poor run has left them just three points above the bottom three heading into the weekend's games.
Brown admits there is now huge pressure on himself and the squad but is convinced they have the wherewithal to handle it.
He added: "It's trying to stay true to yourself and true to your beliefs.
I know there is a lot of negativity with regards to our form but I am looking around the training ground and am still looking at hungry players and players that are confident about the challenge ahead of us."
Martin O'Neill has challenged Aston Villa winger James Milner to repeat his form of this season and force his way into Fabio Capello's squad for the 2010 World Cup.
Milner became Villa's record signing when he made the £12million switch from Newcastle in August.
But the England Under-21 player has not been affected by the price tag and has played a significant role in Villa's push for a European spot.
They could virtually guarantee automatically qualifying for the new-look Europa League if they overcome Hull.
O'Neill said: "James has done splendidly in a role which is really physically demanding.
"You are expected to get up the pitch, support and create and score the occasional goal and you are also expected to get back and be the first
line of defence.
"But he has got a big heart and the work he has done in getting back and covering has been terrific. I think he will be all the better for this season.
"In the last couple of games, he has looked a little tired. I am not surprised because the season catches up with you. He has done fantastically well."
O'Neill added: "Can he challenge for the World Cup squad? I don't see why not and that should be his driving ambition, to play well for us to get himself into that squad."
