DAW OPEN TO HULL GLORY

SKIPPER Michael Dawson reckons the confidence instilled in Hull by new boss Marco Silva has given them a chance of staying up.

Dawson (left) leads his men against Fulham in the FA Cup at Craven Cottage today optimistic that the self-belief running through the Tigers camp is a vital spin-off from Silva’s arrival.

Hull ended Manchester United’s 17 match unbeaten run with a 2-1 win in the EFL Cup semi-final second leg. It wasn’t enough to stop United reaching Wembley – but Dawson says the result only adds to their optimism.

He said: “You look at what the manager has done since he came in and it’s lifted everyone. We had a right go at United to try and win and get to Wembley.

“Over two games we lost 3-2 to a top team like United. The manager has a philosophy of football, he has got us playing a different way.

“We knew the Premier League was never going to be easy but we’ve given ourselves a fighting chance.

“We stay positive, keep building and hope to carry the belief into the game with Fulham.”

Boss Slavisa Jokanovic reckons Hull pose the perfect test for his Fulham team.

He said: “It is a chance for us to play against a Premier League team and we have to be full of confidence and fully motivated to play this game.

“We have to be ready for a tough game, but we are going to arrive with ambition to pass the round.”