Source: Team_Talk
Dawson banking on home form
Andy Dawson is adamant Hull will not be complacent when they entertain the side with the worst away record in the Premier League on Saturday.[LNB] Four of the Tigers' six remaining fixtures will take place at the KC Stadium, with matches against Aston Villa, Sunderland, Liverpool and first Burnley tomorrow.[LNB]The Clarets have one point from 16 matches away from home this season and will be cast adrift at least six points from safety with defeat at Hull, who could give their survival hopes a welcome boost with a seventh home win of the season.[LNB]Hull's away form is similarly woeful - with four draws and no wins - and Dawson believes survival hinges on building on their impressive 2-0 win over Fulham in Iain Dowie's first home match in charge.[LNB]Dawson said: "It all depends on us. If we start getting results at home now I think we'll bring a few back into it.[LNB]"Our away form hasn't been good enough this season, we all know that.[LNB]"With four home games, two away, the majority of those points have got to come at home."[LNB]Hull currently occupy the final place in the relegation zone, one point behind West Ham, but with a game in hand on all their relegation rivals.[LNB]If the Hammers fail to beat Sunderland at home tomorrow and Hull win, the Tigers would climb out of the relegation zone for the first time since February and put pressure on Wigan, Bolton and Wolves at the foot of the table.[LNB]"We know what three points can do for us," said Dawson, who is fully fit after returning to the bench last weekend at Stoke following a hamstring injury.[LNB]"It would be a massive boost and hopefully get us out of the bottom three."[LNB]Burnley's away record and their 6-1 loss at home to Manchester City last week - during which they conceded five times in the opening half - sees Hull favourites to triumph tomorrow.[LNB]"It's not something we've been used to this season," said Dawson.[LNB]"But it's not a pressure we'll be worried about, it's one that we'll take as a positive."[LNB]The onus, Dawson says, is on Hull to start well, rather than worry about a response from Burnley to their City debacle.[LNB]"Their confidence is bound to be low but we can't underestimate them," he added.[LNB]"They're not going to roll over. We've got to give them every bit of respect."[LNB]Dawson has spent seven years at Hull, while he was previously across the Humber at Scunthorpe, spending four and a half years under now Burnley boss Brian Laws.[LNB]Laws has come under pressure since succeeding Owen Coyle at Turf Moor, having lost 11 of 13 Premier League games - as well as an FA Cup tie against Reading - since January.[LNB]"Knowing him I'm sure he'll be hurting, but he'll be doing his best to turn it around," said Dawson.[LNB]"He's a very positive guy and I'm sure he's been at them this week."[LNB]Dowie's positive outlook has had an impact on Hull.[LNB]The former Northern Ireland international is the Tigers' temporary football management consultant and has been in charge for three games since manager Phil Brown was placed on gardening leave.[LNB]He was handed nine games to turn the momentum and secure Premier League survival and has suffered two defeats, but enjoyed a welcome 2-0 victory over Fulham when Hull last played at home.[LNB]Chances of a second win in four games could be boosted by George Boateng's return to fitness from a head injury incurred at Stoke.[LNB]Brain scans and X-rays have given Boateng the all-clear.[LNB]However, if he has symptoms of concussion, he will not be risked.[LNB]City are certain to be without Republic of Ireland winger Stephen Hunt, who is still struggling to shake off a foot problem, but Ibrahima Sonko is available again after being ineligible for the trip to his parent club Stoke.
