Source: Team_Talk
Fagan hoping to end away hoodoo
Craig Fagan is desperate for Hull to end their away drought at the Britannia Stadium - so people will have something else to talk about.[LNB] The Tigers are without a win on the road all season and head to Stoke on Saturday having taken only four of their 27 points away from the KC Stadium.[LNB]They looked set to break their duck at Portsmouth two weeks ago in Iain Dowie's first game in charge when they led 2-1 going into the final couple of minutes only for the hosts to net twice.[LNB]Fagan said: "We're looking forward to getting to the game because we want to get rid of this away hoodoo that everyone keeps going on about. The lads have always been confident we can go and get points, we just haven't done so.[LNB]"It doesn't weigh on your mind, it just gets mentioned week after week now because it's gone on so long. We just need to get it over and done with then people will have to think of other things to ask questions about.[LNB]"We're in the place we are in the league because we haven't won enough away games and you can't stay in the league just on your home form. We need an away win, and it will take some pressure off our home form if we do."[LNB]Fagan put in one of his best performances for Hull in last weekend's 2-0 victory over Fulham, scoring the second goal as the Tigers climbed level on points with 17th-placed West Ham having played a game fewer.[LNB]The 27-year-old, who is in his second spell with Hull, has played much of his recent football on the wing and was pleased to get a chance to show what he could do up front.[LNB]Caleb Folan was brought back into the first-team squad when Dowie replaced Phil Brown and responded with two goals against Portsmouth while Jozy Altidore and Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink are also battling for places up front.[LNB]Fagan thinks the competition can only be good for Hull's chances of staying in the top flight.[LNB]"People are back involved now that maybe wouldn't have been given a chance under the old manager like Sonks (Ibrahima Sonko) and Caleb Folan, and it does freshen it up," he said.[LNB]"People are fighting for shirts and that can only be beneficial to the team. Everyone has to train hard every day to get the shirt instead of the same old people each week. Competition for places brings out the best in people."[LNB]Dowie believes Fagan does not get enough credit for the work he does for the team and has compared him with Fulham striker Bobby Zamora, who has been tipped for England honours this season.[LNB]The Hull boss said: "Bobby Zamora had that. He was never underrated by the players or (Fulham boss) Roy Hodgson - now he's added goals to it, and I'll be delighted if Craig can chip in with seven or eight goals between now and the end of the season, that would be tremendous.[LNB]"He's brave, he can run in behind, he's decent up to feet. He scored a great header (against Fulham) but his work ethic off the ball was sensational. He's won us probably 10 or 12 recoveries through sheer tenacity.[LNB]"He's been terrific and I like him. He's got a good buzz around the place, he's got an edge to him - I think every player has to have that devil in his make-up.[LNB]"He likes playing up front - I think that's where he wants to play. He should be full of confidence, he's shown that in training, and you hope he can build on that."
