Kyle Joseph tells Hull City to 'embrace the challenge' and aim for top two Championship finish
The last few weeks have seen Hull City's cushion in the Championship play-off places reduced, but after Saturday's 3-1 win over Sheffield Wednesday, Kyle Joseph says they are still looking at the automatic promotion spots.
After 13 points from a possible 30, Hull are only three above seventh-placed Wrexham, who have a better goal difference. But second-placed Middlesbrough are wobbling too, and are only five ahead with seven games to play.
Automatic promotion looks a tough ask, but forward Joseph sees no harm in reaching for the stars when they come back from a two-week international break.
"This time last year we got beaten by Luton at home going into an international break and we were probably checking over our shoulder thinking it's a bit nervy now," said Joseph, whose team were in the thick of a relegation battle 12 months ago. “This is the other way around.
"Embrace the challenge. There's five points up to the top two to catch and I think that's the way you've got to look at it. There's no point looking behind us.
"We were all probably guilty last season of checking everybody's results."
Joseph scored one and made one as Hull came from 1-0 down to beat an Owls side who drew with them on Boxing Day.
"They're a good side, I know they've been relegated with the off-field problems but they're still a good team and they caused us problems," said Joseph.
"We showed character to get back into the game.
"It was important to get that second goal just before half-time, it opened the game up a bit more.
"It will be massive for us, the confidence going into the international break."
The Owls were culpable for all three Hull goals, but manager Henrik Pedersen was delighted with the spirit shown by his already-relegated team.
"To concede an own goal from the last ball of the first half, it was tough for the boys," he said.
"And at 3-1 we all know it's difficult but the boys kept on trying.