Source: Team_Talk
Dowie calls for Hull 'heroes'
Hull boss Iain Dowie has described tomorrow's make-or-break Premier League clash with Sunderland as "a game for heroes".[LNB] The Tigers will take to the field at the KC Stadium knowing defeat and a West Ham victory over Wigan would effectively bring an end to their two-year spell in the top flight.[LNB]Hull had the chance to move level on points with the Hammers on Wednesday night but were beaten 2-0 by Aston Villa in a game that laid bare Dowie's problems - a lack of goals at one end and defensive errors at the other.[LNB]And the former Crystal Palace and Coventry boss knows they cannot afford any more slip ups.[LNB]He said: "It's about putting three points on the board. If we do that we're still right in the shake-up. We've got to get some top performances from our top players. It's a game for heroes.[LNB]"We've got to make sure that we play with all the enthusiasm we have, we've got to make sure we close them down, we press them, we get balls into their box and make them have to defend.[LNB]"We've got to keep our concentration and we cannot afford fundamental errors at crucial times because they're game-defining moments.[LNB]"It's about finding a way to win but not forgetting about the things we're doing right. We've got to replicate what we did on Wednesday but show more craft in front of goal, take the chances when they come and deny opportunities to others.[LNB]"Being first in both boxes is the key element tomorrow."[LNB]The fans made their frustration clear on Wednesday, particularly when Dowie opted to replace youngster Tom Cairney with Geovanni.[LNB]"It's the nature of the beast," Dowie added. "The fans care, they're frustrated and they're disappointed to see the team getting beat.[LNB]"For the most part of the game they were magnificent so it's churlish to get involved. The support since we've been here has been outstanding."[LNB]Chairman Adam Pearson chose Wednesday's programme notes to spell out the financial situation at the club, accusing predecessor Paul Duffen of being "short-sighted and lacking in business sense and specific football knowledge".[LNB]There is speculation relegation to the Coca-Cola Championship could mean administration, with Pearson admitting the future is "very tricky".[LNB]Pearson's comments could be deemed to have cranked up the pressure to survive even more but Dowie, who only arrived at the club last month following the sacking of Phil Brown, had no complaints about the timing of the article.[LNB]He said: "That's Adam's department. Him and (majority shareholder) Russell (Bartlett) have been very supportive in the time I've been here but I'm aware of what the figures are, I've seen the wage bill.[LNB]"I don't see it as an issue. Adam's obviously had a look at the situation and felt it was right for him to comment on it. It's for another day at the end of the season to deal with it."[LNB]Goalkeeper Matt Duke, meanwhile, insisted the speculation will not have a negative effect on performances.[LNB]"We read the programme and you hear rumours and what's being said but once the whistle goes you don't really think about that," he told Press Association Sport. "It's something that's not being decided on the football pitch."[LNB]And Duke, who has been preferred to Boaz Myhill for the past two games, remains confident Hull can beat the drop.[LNB]"The situation's not ideal but everything's still there to fight for," he said. "We're relying on other results as well but three points on Saturday will make a massive difference. While there's a chance, there's belief."
