Brown expects Tigers survival

Hull City manager Phil Brown is confident his club has the 'character' to avoid top-flight relegation. The Tigers made a fantastic start to their first Premier League campaign and recorded 20 points from nine games, with premature speculation implying that the KC Stadium outfit could be European contenders.But a significant dip in form in the second half of the season has seen Brown's side slip to just four points above the drop zone as the summer approaches.Brown, though, believes his squad, who travel to fellow strugglers Sunderland on Saturday, can climb away from trouble. "All we want is the players to bring their most energetic game, and that will be sufficient," he said.No illusions"We always knew this stage of the season was going to be a tough ask."We were under no illusions at the start of the season, even when we got 20 points in nine games, that it wouldn't manifest itself in a scrap at the end of the season."That is what it has turned out to be and I reckon I have got the character in the squad and in individuals to be prepared for any kind of scrap."Two years ago we were in a survival campaign and we could have gone out of business 10 years ago - that takes a lot of character."He added: "It's a test for everybody. We don't want to go back to the Championship, we want to be a Premier League club for the second season running."That brings a lot of rewards and it is who wants it most. We have got to take the pressure off the players."

Source: SKY_Sports