3 days Ago By [email protected] (Barry Cooper)
Former Hull City midfielder George Boateng has challenged the Tigers to summon up the same spirit they showed in fighting back against Coventry City on Monday in their remaining four games. City have a three-point gap between themselves and the bottom three ahead of a pivotal Easter weekend which sees them head to Swansea City on Friday and then host Preston North End on Monday before finishing the campaign at home to fellow strugglers Derby County and then away at Portsmouth. Ruben Selles' men battled back from the setback of conceding a second own goal in four games against the Sky Blues, before fighting back to earn a big point courtesy of Abu Kamara's finish, a response which impressed Boateng .
"If they show this spirit that they showed (against Coventry), they've got half a chance," he told Sky Sports. "They worked really hard, tried to stop Coventry from creating too many chances, and if you look at the games they've got left; Swansea without a manager, they're still picking up points there, they're winning games. Preston will probably be their best chance to try and get three points.
Derby's also fighting and equally, Portsmouth will be a really tough game. "As I said, for me, it's important that they build on the point they've gained and show the same spirit. Not because it's live on Sky and you can have players motivate themselves and do extra, but when the game is not live on Sky, can you give us the same ethic, the same work rate to try and win the game.
" The Dutchman was impressed with what he saw from man of the match Ivor Pandur, who made a string of good saves to keep out the Sky Blues. He believes the biggest positive going into their Good Friday game was the fact Selles' men battled back to get a point. "The point, it's a valuable point," he said.
"Outstanding goalkeeper (Ivor Pandur). If he keeps performing like this, they've got the opportunity to stay up. With Ivor's performance, that should lift the back four, it should lift the midfield.
It's a togetherness as a group at Hull City that will give them the biggest chance to try and stay in the league." Clinton Morrison, meanwhile, believes the fascinating race to survive which sees at least eight times battling to stay up in the remaining two weeks. "They're huge.
Derby have been in good form under John Eustace. He's gone in there, done a brilliant job. Portsmouth, as well, getting some brilliant result.
Portsmouth away at Fratton Park, the atmosphere will be brilliant. It's going to go right down to the wire. This is why we love the EFL because it's so unpredictable.
"You've got six teams, and you don't know who is going to go down. Everyone's fighting for their lives, and it's the same in the play-off places as well. It's a brilliant league, and it's so unpredictable.
" Don't miss the latest 1904 Club episode looking ahead to the pivotal Easter weekend.
