Mike Phelan detects right mentality in Hull City camp

Mike Phelan: Hull City chief was heartened by way side came back to defeat Southampton.

On what it likely to be an ultra-tense occasion in a game that neither side dare lose at the Stadium of Light, holding your nerve will be paramount and Mike Phelan is certainly seeing positive signs in that regard.

It is chiefly thanks to the Tigers’ come-from-behind victory over Southampton just prior to the international break, which was as welcome as it was surprising, with the hosts – despite not being at their best – digging deep to chisel out an invaluable three points to ease their plight towards the foot of the table.

Phelan believes that grit and character augurs well for some key battles ahead and represents a positive rewind.

He said: “The (Southampton) performance showed the spirit of that early part of the season when we were really battling and really at it. We were all together again.

“What is also really good is every team in and around us played on Saturday (before us) and won. That can have a mental effect on a group of players.

“We were playing 24 hours after the event, knowing we had to get a result to keep in touch. That is pressure, but we did it.

“I won’t say that keeps things on course, we always want more regardless of the situation. But where we are right now is possibly where people did not expect us to be, firmly in touch.”

That victory over Saints stopped the rot after a debilitating six-match league losing sequence.

Despite that run, Phelan insists he will continue to maintain a sense of calm and perspective in the weeks ahead – and not worry about outside perceptions.

He added: “When you are losing games, you find yourself repeating things over and over again. The belief that you have in them can wash over their heads in situations like that, because they just feel defeat.

“But I have to try and create an atmosphere where, as those on the outside go crazy or mental over a run of results, we stay true to our beliefs and what we are trying to achieve.

“We won’t achieve that in 10 or 11 games. We have to stick at it and when opportunities like Southampton come along, we have to rise to the occasion, then we have to take it.”