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The Tigers' stunning victory at Arsenal last weekend took their tally of points to an impressive 11 from the opening six games to underline their status as this season's surprise package.

Such an encouraging haul has also seen the bookmakers cut the odds on City remaining in the top flight next term from 2-5 before a ball had been kicked to 6-5 today.

This increased confidence could be put down to the fact only once since the Premier League's formation 16 years ago has one of the sides ultimately relegated had as healthy a start as that enjoyed by Phil Brown's men.

And even then Middlesbrough, who claimed 11 points from the opening six games of 1996-97, were only demoted after being deducted three points for failing to fulfil a fixture.

Despite that, Duffen last night remained cautious when asked by the Yorkshire Post about City's start to the season.

He said: "It is not beyond my wildest dreams because they involve Elle McPherson! But in footballing terms, we are ahead of schedule.

"A point a game across the season means you usually stay in the Premier League, whereas we are close to two at the moment.

"It is encouraging, of course it is. But the target remains what it has always been – to retain our Premier League status. That will not change.

"Before last season, we set the target of a top-half finish and that never waivered because, as a club, we are not in the business of moving the goalposts during a season. Anything else was a bonus, as it would be this season.

"What we have to remember is it is a long campaign with 38 very difficult games to get through. And I am sure that, at some stage, we will hit a dip in form.

"The pleasing thing for us is that Hull is a down-to-earth city whose people do not get too carried away. It is the same with the players, and especially so in our case due to the presence of Bo (Myhill), (Ian) Ash(bee) and Andy (Dawson) – players who have appeared in all four divisions with the club, so appreciate the contrasting fortunes that football can bring."

Hull's start contrasts sharply with most new arrivals in the Premier League and their 11-point haul is already the best by a newly-promoted club since Blackburn Rovers claimed four wins and two draws from the opening half-a-dozen games
en route to finishing fourth in 1992-93.

The next highest total at the corresponding stage is the 11 points earned by Boro in the opening weeks of 1996-97 courtesy of wins over West Ham, Coventry and Everton plus draws with Liverpool and Nottingham Forest.

It would, however, be another three months – and 12 games – before Bryan Robson's side tasted victory again with a Boxing Day triumph at home to Everton.

That came just a week after Boro had failed to turn up at Blackburn Rovers amid an injury crisis that, the Teesside club claimed, left them unable to field a team – an offence that subsequently saw the Premier League impose a three-point penalty, ensuring they would ultimately finish two adrift of safety.

City's start to the season has stunned the pundits with the weekend win at Arsenal earning Brown and his players headlines around the world.

At a time when more and more potential investors from abroad are being attracted to English football with each passing week, the increased profile has left some in the game wondering whether Hull would suddenly have become a potential target for foreign money.

However, when asked if he had been contacted by potential suitors as a result, Duffen said: "No, none at all and I believe that is because people don't see us as vulnerable. You only get buyers chasing something that is for sale because, otherwise, they won't get it. Or if they do, they will have to pay an unrealistic price.

"It is good from our point of view that no-one has shown any interest as it shows what a position of strength the club is in."

Duffen then added with a mischievous glint in his eye: "Mind, I am going to Bahrain with the manager and our commercial director next week! That should get a few tongues wagging.

"I should add, however, that the only reason is to investigate the possibility and suitability of making Bahrain our warm-weather training base. Last year, the players went to Dubai and it worked a treat so we will be doing it again."