PLUCKY HUMBER
Reece says Tigers have hunger to beat the drop
HULL defender Reece Burke insisted that his team are not scared of the drop after they stunned
West Brom.
With the Yorkshire club closer to being taken over, their players delivered a message that they mean business on the field, too.
Manager Nigel Adkins has had meagre resources to work with, and his team were rock bottom a month ago with only eight points from 12 games. Things are rosier now though, with the owners – the Allams – looking to do a deal and back-to-back wins being grabbed.
Players were on their mobile phones in the dressing room straight away after the game, checking the league table. Burke said: “It’s a bit of a blow being in the relegation zone, but we are not worried about that. It’s a tight league this season and it’s still early.
“It was a hard one to take when we were sent to the bottom, but it’s a great response from the lads. The character is good and I feel that we will fly up this table.”
Hope of that happening would be bolstered by potential new investment in the January transfer window. But this match showed that the Tigers’ team – with several new, young players – may be maturing.
Earlier this season, Hull’s defence looked like an accident waiting to happen, but it has suddenly recorded successive clean sheets in 1-0 wins against Bolton and West Brom.
The Baggies are the division’s top scorers by far, on 33 goals, so this clean sheet was an important psychological boost for the Tigers.
Their defenders have suffered this season, meaning recent results are a show of resilience.
Burke, who arrived from West Ham in the summer, added: “It is hard mentally when you’re trying to hold on and you lose points.
“You have just got to be positive. Nigel does a great job when we are losing games.”
This game was won by Fraizer Campbell’s close-range strike, creating joy among home fans who have often been downcast during this campaign. At full-time, West Brom’s travelling support booed their team.
Albion boss Darren Moore (above) said: “Our fans have got a right to voice their concerns – but what we need to do is stick together.”