Brown took caretaker charge at the KC Stadium three years ago today but his future in the job seemed uncertain at the start of November.

With his team in the Barclays Premier League bottom three and with just three wins in the whole of 2009, Brown was widely reported to be just one bad result away from the sack.

The picture changed with a vital win over Stoke and, with the Tigers unbeaten in three more games since, the outlook seems brighter.

Brown, who guided Hull to promotion in 2008 before a difficult past year, reflected on his time in charge this morning.

He said: "It has been brilliant, first class.

"There have been highs and lows and to get to the highs you have to sample the lows, unfortunately, but I am looking forward to the fourth year."

Hull's recent upturn in fortunes has coincided with the return of Adam Pearson for a second spell as chairman.

Pearson's appointment has brought a more pragmatic mentality to the club, particularly in terms of finance, and Brown feels the pair are working well together.

He said: "It is a working relationship like any chairman to a manager.

"As a leader Adam has been there, seen it and done it. He has got the great experience of the previous regime at Hull City and we have fitted in nicely together. Hopefully that will continue."

Hull, having lifted themselves to 15th, now face a testing trip to Aston Villa tomorrow and have tough fixtures against Arsenal and Manchester United before the end of the year.

Brown is well aware that Hull cannot afford to let their guard slip.

He said: "You never rest on your laurels in this game, you probably build on them and the confidence we have gained from the four or five games of late hopefully we will take into the game tomorrow."