Coyle: If we win today it's done

SKIPPER ON CITY'S MINDSET VS DERBY

- By BARRY COOPER

Hull City skipper Lewie Coyle says it’s vital his players go into today’s huge showdown with Derby County believing they can secure their Championship survival.

Victory would ensure City remain a Championship club, but defeat could see them heading to Portsmouth on the final day in the bottom three, and staring relegation in the face.

Coyle, though, remains upbeat, having been buoyed by Monday's battling victory at home to Preston. The Rams arrive in East Yorkshire on the back of a terrific win of their own, winning 3-1 at West Brom.

That was their fifth win in the last 10 games, the same form as resurgent Luton, which has given both clubs fresh hope of staying in the league.

"Everybody's fighting for their lives. There's so much at stake for fans, but for us as players as well. We all have families, and it's personal pride as well,” the skipper, 27, told the Mail.

"You're going to get the best out of people when there’s that much at stake. We just need to take care of our own business. Thankfully, we're in a position where that’s what we need to do, and that's the aim. The spot we're in, let’s be realistic, if we win, it’s done. That needs to be the mindset, which it would have been anyway, regardless of where we were in the table. To have some clarity to go and beat Derby on Saturday, and it’s done (is a big positive)."