Source: Team_Talk
Dowie demands response from Hull
Iain Dowie has called for a positive response to adversity from his Hull players on Monday when they travel to Wigan.[LNB] The Tigers were all but relegated from the Premier League last weekend following a 1-0 defeat by Sunderland and the club have already begun preparing for Championship football next season.[LNB]But, with games against Wigan and Liverpool to come, Dowie wants his side to finish the season with as many points as possible. And a first away win of the season would be the perfect riposte.[LNB]Dowie said: "I've made a point of saying to the players it's very much about playing for professional pride now, about making sure the integrity of what the club's about is shown in very clear and stark terms at Wigan.[LNB]"We've got a very poor away record and it would be great to go there and try and get a result that gets rid of that."[LNB]Hull's last away game, a 0-0 draw with Birmingham, followed a disastrous 4-1 home defeat by Burnley and Dowie is looking for them to bounce back in similar style at the DW Stadium.[LNB]"We've worked very, very hard and the response has been very good," he continued. "They're paid very handsomely to perform and that's about day in, day out.[LNB]"You have to train like you play. That's what I've demanded and we'll see what display they give us on Monday.[LNB]"It's very important we bounce back. We bounced back from the disappointment against Burnley with a very passionate display at Birmingham.[LNB]"I'm disappointed, not so much in the display (against Sunderland) because we had lots of the game, but what's led to our relegation, it's very important that we respond in the right fashion."[LNB]Hull's plight has been significantly worsened by the financial situation at the club. The Tigers are approximately £35million in debt and have a wage bill of £39million.[LNB]Chairman Adam Pearson has already said he hopes that will be reduced to around £15million, meaning there are likely to be a substantial number of departures this summer.[LNB]That could include Dowie, whose contract only runs until the end of the season, with no decision set to be made on his future until the financial position is clearer.[LNB]"It's an issue I have very little control over," said Dowie. "What I have control over is trying to win as many games as we can between now and the end of the season.[LNB]"We've got two games to go and we'll try to get some points that keep us in that third bottom spot.[LNB]"It's not about personnel or about me, it's about making sure we finish the season with great pride and then what will be will be."[LNB]Dowie has received criticism from some fans for perceived negative tactics but the Hull boss will not be changing his approach just because the club's fate has been decided.[LNB]Citing Stoke's 7-0 hammering by Chelsea last weekend, he said: "You aim to go out with a disciplined display that allows you to get some results.[LNB]"We've seen, if you go a little bit gung-ho, what can happen against the top teams like Liverpool and Chelsea. Stoke had hardly conceded a goal away from home so these sides can pose lots of problems.[LNB]"But we'll go to Wigan, cope with the strengths they have, they'll be playing with a bit of freedom, and that suits Roberto Martinez's sides.[LNB]"Let's go there with the same devilment we had at Birmingham but with a little bit more guile in front of goal."
