Hull City manager Mike Phelan has encouraged his players to 'stay in the groove' once the international break is over.
The Tigers boss has overseen an improvement in performance in his side's last two games and has called for composure ahead of the next four league fixtures (crunch games against Sunderland, West Brom, Middlesbrough and Crystal Palace)."?
Phelan's men ran out 2-1 winners against Southampton on Sunday, helping to ease the blow of losing late against Watford the week before. It was an important victory for the KCOM outfit, who had lost their last six league games in a demoralising run of form.
With Hull's next four fixtures against sides all occupying the bottom half of the table, it will be seen as a golden opportunity to pick up crucial points.
According to the "?Hull Daily Mail, Phelan, who scooped up the Premier League Manager of the Month award for August, said: "It is important we stay level headed and composed about things, and try to take points from the games we feel are winnable. It is that way you stay in the mix which is important. Quite a few teams are doing that at the moment.
Robert Snodgrass has been directly involved in 50% of @HullCity's 10 #PL goals this season (4 goals, 1 assist) pic.twitter.com/IQn3V7Qzy3
"We performed as well at Watford as we did against Southampton. But didn't get anything. When you are in the groove, you have to stay in the groove."
Despite the win over Southampton (Phelan's first since being appointed manager) City remain in the relegation zone. The run of six defeats in a row had cut them adrift, but they now breathe down the necks of struggling West Ham, who are only one point ahead.
Phelan also revealed he is hoping to achieve the next 10 points in a fewer amount of games.
"I did say to the players a couple of weeks ago that I wanted ten points as soon as possible. That is a good marker, ten points after ten games," he said.
"A lot of teams would be happy with that. We missed that by one game. Now we have got to that stage, more or less, then I am hungry for more. The players know that."
The ex-Manchester United assistant boss will fancy his side's chances to pick up some points in their next four games - the first beginning against basement dwellers Sunderland at the Stadium of Light - after the international break.