Source: SKY_Sports
Brown stays focused
Hull City boss Phil Brown is staying focused despite some fans calling for his head.
The Tigers boss was subjected to calls for his sacking after last week's 1-0 home loss to Birmingham and then the 4-0 Carling Cup thrashing by Everton on Wednesday.
But Brown, who guided the Tigers into the top flight for the first time in their history in 2008, is ignoring the boo-boys.
Instead, he is focusing on the trip to Anfield to face Liverpool on Saturday before crucial fixtures against Wigan, Portsmouth, Fulham and Burnley in October.
Brown said: "People calling for your head is never a nice thing, but that's the nature of the beast.
"We've now got 21,000 season-ticket holders and about 25,000 average gates.
"There's probably about half who only know the last two years. It's been unprecedented success.
"Suddenly you get a little blip and they are calling for people's heads.
"The true supporters - and they will be there tomorrow, they really get behind the team away from home - they hopefully know the deal. They know the history of the club, how far we have
come.
"But I understand that there is no patience in football anymore and I understand that is the deal.
"I have got as much support as I need and now it is a case of getting on with the job."
When asked on Friday if he has been able to switch off from the situation, Brown replied: "I don't think you can. Why should I want to switch off from football? It is my life."
Brown also praised the strong support he has received from chairman Paul Duffen, who recently branded the calls for his manager's removal as "pathetic".
Brown said: "He has provided nothing but top-class support for me since he has been at the football club, whether that be financial, physical, mental.
"He's been tremendous for me, I cannot ask for any more as a manager."
The Hull boss remains determined to turn the situation around but accepts getting a result at Anfield is a tall order.
"It is important we perform well and give a good account of ourselves," he said. "I think the 3,000 travelling fans will accept that.
"I expect the players to perform well but I understand with the quality Liverpool have got we probably have to catch them on an off-day.
"It will be a very tough game. I can't expect any favours from Liverpool because of the situation we are in. I think it will be a full-tilt performance.
"Then a difficult period will come along in October when people are expecting us to win games and arrest the situation we are in, but there will be no pressure on the players."
Brown made nine changes for the game against Everton but is likely to restore a number of first-choice players to face Liverpool.
Despite the changes, he did not think the performance against the Toffees was as bad as the result.
He said: "It was probably the best we have played all season, strangely enough, but it doesn't matter what goes on between the two boxes, it is what goes on in the penalty boxes.
"We have to stop the mistakes in our penalty box."
