HULL boss Phil Brown believes being the last of the Barclays Premier League relegation candidates to play this weekend could work to his side's advantage.
The Tigers could be in the bottom three by the time they kick off against Aston Villa on Monday, should Newcastle or Middlesbrough produce shock results against title challengers Liverpool and Manchester United respectively.
That would seem an unlikely scenario but Brown, whose side have won just once in 18 matches, claims his players are ready for the challenge come what may.
He said: "All along we have had our destiny in our hands and if we are in the bottom three on Monday it will be up to us to get out of it.
"They are big asks for Newcastle and Middlesbrough but big things happen at this stage of the season.
"The advantage of Monday night is that we will know what we have to do.
"There are 72 teams outside the Premier League that would like to be in our position. We are all fighting for something.
"There is still a lot to play for and it will be nice on Monday to know exactly where we are."
Hull's poor run has left them just three points above the bottom three heading into the weekend's games.
Brown admits there is now huge pressure on himself and the squad but is convinced they have the wherewithal to handle it.
He added: "It's trying to stay true to yourself and true to your beliefs.
"I know there is a lot of negativity with regards to our form but I am looking around the training ground and am still looking at hungry players and players that are confident about the challenge ahead of us.
"We have got experienced players that can dig in when the going gets tough and hopefully those players will be on show and at their best on Monday."
Brown was this week charged with improper conduct and/or bringing the game into disrepute in relation to media comments concerning referee Mike Riley.
The incident occurred after Hull's controversial FA Cup quarter-final defeat to Arsenal in March, which has also seen charges brought against the Gunners' Cesc Fabregas.
"It is an inquiry, based on what went on in the FA Cup against Arsenal," Brown said.
"I cannot make any reference to it but I have responded to the accusations and think I have every right to."
That would seem an unlikely scenario but Brown, whose side have won just once in 18 matches, claims his players are ready for the challenge come what may.
He said: "All along we have had our destiny in our hands and if we are in the bottom three on Monday it will be up to us to get out of it.
"They are big asks for Newcastle and Middlesbrough but big things happen at this stage of the season.
"The advantage of Monday night is that we will know what we have to do.
"There are 72 teams outside the Premier League that would like to be in our position. We are all fighting for something.
"There is still a lot to play for and it will be nice on Monday to know exactly where we are."
Hull's poor run has left them just three points above the bottom three heading into the weekend's games.
Brown admits there is now huge pressure on himself and the squad but is convinced they have the wherewithal to handle it.
He added: "It's trying to stay true to yourself and true to your beliefs.
"I know there is a lot of negativity with regards to our form but I am looking around the training ground and am still looking at hungry players and players that are confident about the challenge ahead of us.
"We have got experienced players that can dig in when the going gets tough and hopefully those players will be on show and at their best on Monday."
Brown was this week charged with improper conduct and/or bringing the game into disrepute in relation to media comments concerning referee Mike Riley.
The incident occurred after Hull's controversial FA Cup quarter-final defeat to Arsenal in March, which has also seen charges brought against the Gunners' Cesc Fabregas.
"It is an inquiry, based on what went on in the FA Cup against Arsenal," Brown said.
"I cannot make any reference to it but I have responded to the accusations and think I have every right to."
Copyright (c) Press Association
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