Boateng tips Tigers to survive

George Boateng has backed Hull City to beat the drop and claims he will thrive on the pressure of a relegation battle. The Dutch midfielder is currently working his way back to full fitness after suffering knee ligament damage in January and could return later this month.Phil Brown's side are just four points above the drop zone but claimed their first win in 12 Premier League attempts with a last-gasp 1-0 success at Fulham last time out.The Tigers tackle fellow strugglers Newcastle at the KC Stadium on Saturday with Boateng again watching from the sidelines.The former Middlesbrough player knew he would be in for a tough season after signing for Hull City in the summer but is relishing his return to action."Lots of people are telling me when I come back there will be a lot of pressure on me. But that is why I signed," Boateng told Sky Sports News.Struggle"I knew from the start it was going to be a hard season and I think if you cannot live with the pressure you don't belong on this stage in the Premier League."Brown's side made an astonishing start to the season, defying the odds to sit in the upper reaches of the table, before a worrying slide to their current position.When asked if the Tigers could beat the drop, Boateng replied: "Yes - especially when I come back!"Without being too over-confident, I think we've been great, we've entertained. "In the first part of the season people were expecting us to struggle. We've had to hold on for a long time."Winning becomes a habit as well as losing and then the pressure gets to you."

Source: SKY_Sports