Hull City assistant boss Steve Agnew believes a proud unbeaten record at the KC Stadium can provide the inspiration for another priceless home win when lowly Crystal Palace visit this weekend.
The Tigers have won three and drawn two of their five home games in the Premier League, taking 11 of their 14 points in East Yorkshire, and in nine hours of league and cup action only Cardiff's Peter Whittingham has managed to score against the miserly hosts.
Not since 2003-04, when Peter Taylor's side went 11 Division Three games unbeaten to begin the first full season at the KC in style, have City made such an impressive start to a campaign on home soil.
The statistics will make the Tigers firm favourites when fellow new boys Crystal Palace arrive in East Yorkshire bidding to end a dismal run of five straight defeats on their travels, and Agnew says confidence can give City the edge.
"They're all big games in the Premier League but we realise that Crystal Palace haven't had a good start," he said, with City unbeaten at home since April 2.
"Is it an opportunity for us to go and win the game? Well yes, you'd have to say it is.
"But we'll not take anyone lightly in this league and it'll be important to stick to the hard work that has given us this unbeaten home record.
"We want that to go on for as long as possible through the season.
"We play with a lot of confidence at home.
"The supporters and atmosphere around the KC on a matchday is very positive and that's something we enjoy."
The significance of Palace's visit has been heightened by City's dip in fortunes of late.
Just four points have come from the last five league games and a 4-1 defeat at Southampton last time out represented their heaviest loss since February.
"There's been no disappointment following the Southampton game, none at all.
"The complete opposite, in fact, they've been terrific," Agnew countered.
"They're an excellent group of players to work with. They have a real inner-belief and determination to succeed this season. They fight for each other.
"They've dusted themselves down very quickly and although we've had a few away with the internationals, they're all looking forward to the Palace game."
City's full squad will not reassemble until Thursday and it is by then James Chester will hope to make his return to contact training. Chester has been absent since badly damaging his hamstring in the 3-2 win at Newcastle on September 21, missing his longest run of games since joining from Manchester United in January 2011.
A lack of match action will mean Steve Bruce is reluctant to throw the defender back in against Palace, however, with the home game against Liverpool on December 1 a more realistic target.
The availability of Curtis Davies, Paul McShane, Alex Bruce and Abdoulaye Faye also dilutes any sense of urgency in Chester's comeback.
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