Saturday Interview: Dawson hopes milestone game will prove key survival pointer

The Tigers' 2-0 defeat at Stoke City 24 hours earlier meant West Ham United's game with Everton had taken on even greater importance as the Londoners looked to end a six-game losing run.

Back in the East Riding, hopes were high that David Moyes's side could heap more misery on the Hammers – hence why droves of Tigers fans could be found glued to the television, either at home or in the pub.

Andy Dawson, City's longest-serving player after Ian Ashbee, was no different in needing to keep abreast of events at Goodison Park despite his wife insisting that Sunday should be a family day.

"Results elsewhere are starting to be more and more important," admits the 31-year-old when talking to the Yorkshire Post ahead of today's crucial meeting with Burnley at the KC Stadium.

"It means the players are just like fans in wanting to know the scores after a game or when our rivals are playing.

"On Sunday, West Ham were playing at Everton. I don't think my wife would have let me get away with sitting on the sofa and watching the entire 90 minutes, praying for an Everton goal, so I kept up to date via my mobile phone.

"I was constantly checking it and then I got a text to say Everton had scored in the 87th minute to make it 2-1, it was fantastic news. I was really pleased.

"Unfortunately, two minutes later, news came through of the equaliser. A few of the lads did watch the game on television. They said West Ham played well and probably deserved the equaliser."

The twists and turns of what Sir Alex Ferguson once famously called 'squeaky bum time' are, of course, nothing new to Dawson.

Since crossing the Humber to join City from Scunthorpe United in 2003, the left-back has helped the club to three promotions. Then, last season, he was a key member of the side that stayed in the Premier League despite a colossal collapse in form from Christmas onwards.

With such a vast wealth of experience, Dawson clearly knows a thing or two about coping with the draining demands of a run-in. And he believes there are always certain games that can be looked back on at the season's end as the moment when a club's fate is decided.

In the 2007-08 promotion- winning campaign, for instance, the Northallerton-born full-back vividly remembers a meeting with today's visitors to the KC Stadium as being an important step towards the Premier League.

Dawson, who is in line to make his 200th league start for City today, said: "The last time we played Burnley at home was a midweek game near the start of March and the manager told us before kick-off 'we need a good run now'.

"I think we were in similar positions (Hull were ninth and Burnley a further place behind) so it was important we won. We did, 2-0, despite having a couple of players sent off, and went on a really good run.

"To be fair, our form had been good beforehand but the Burnley game does stand out. It helped get the momentum going that took us to Wembley. It is funny how certain games stick in the mind, let's hope it is the same this season and we can get some momentum by beating Burnley."

Hull will fancy their chances of doing just that this afternoon despite going into the meeting with Brian Laws's side on the back of just two wins in 18 games.

That is because the Clarets are in even worse form with 12 defeats and just one victory since the former Sheffield Wednesday manager's arrival in January.

Burnley's collapse in form actually pre-dates Laws with the final nine league games of Owen Coyle's reign failing to yield a solitary victory and Dawson can understand why parallels have been drawn between the fortunes of the two teams who meet in one of just two Premier League games taking place today.

He said: "Burnley had a great start, just like we did last season. At home, it didn't look like they could lose but once you do start losing it is a very hard habit to break.

"Let's not put Burnley down, though. They still have a lot of good players and there are a lot of games to play."

Today's game is the first of four at home for City during the run-in with Aston Villa, Sunderland and Liverpool all yet to visit the KC Stadium this season.

With Hull having claimed just four draws on the road from 17 games, it is no surprise to hear that Iain Dowie's side see home comforts as being crucial in staving off the threat of relegation.

Dawson, who is set to resume the captaincy today after overcoming a hamstring strain, said: "Having four games at home is a big advantage as I would imagine us having to get the points from our games here to stay up.

"We have claimed 23 points at home and only four away. We have to make the KC Stadium a fortress for us. Teams have to find it hard to play here and the fans have a big part to play."

Hull City v Burnley

Team news: Stephen Hunt is again out injured with the foot injury that has kept the City top scorer on the sidelines since February 20, while George Boateng seems unlikely to feature after being stretchered off at Stoke last weekend. Better news for Iain Dowie is Andy Dawson (hamstring) having come through training this week, while Anthony Gardner could be available for the trip to Birmingham City a week today.

Last six games: Hull City LLLLWL, Burnley LDLLLL.

Referee: M Atkinson (West Yorkshire).

Last time: Hull City 2 Burnley 0; March 4, 2008; Championship.

SkyBet odds: Hull to win 8-11; Burnley to win 4-1; Draw 5-2.