Kevin Kilbane Urges Hull City To 'Focus' On Beating The Drop

Experience has taught the Republic of Ireland international that any loss of concentration could spell the end for the Tigers' current spell in the Premier League...



Hull City welcome Manchester United to the KC Stadium on Sunday, knowing that should they secure a victory then they will definitely be playing Premier League football next season. However, utility player Kevin Kilbane is warning that to achieve the feat, the Tigers must be fully focused and operating at full concentration, otherwise they will be doomed.

City's relegation rivals, Newcastle United and Sunderland both face tough fixtures themselves, with the Toon travelling to Aston Villa and the Black Cats facing Chelsea at the Stadium of Light. With Hull a point ahead of the Magpies and one behind Sunderland, Kilbane knows that it is useless relying on the results of others, and that City must find the resolution within themselves to stay in the top division.

"It's not a nice position to be in fighting for your lives but we've got enough experience with players who can look back at their careers and draw on certain things," Kilbane told The Hull Daily Mail.

"It's intense, of course it is, but you have to try and switch off as much as you possibly can.

"Concentrate when you're at training, build for a match-day and be positive.

"You can't keep looking at the league table, if you do you'll crack up and go mental. You've got to try and stay focused on yourself and be at your best."

Hull face Manchester United at the KC Stadium on Sunday, kick-off 16:00 BST.