HDM Sport on FacebookBruce and Irvine toe-to-toe in sack race? THIS weekend could spell a change in philosophy for Premier League chairmen and the fortunes of top-flight managers. If every boss avoids the sack, then it will have been the longest start to a league campaign without any managerial casualties since 1996. But that's a big if. There are a handful of bosses sweating over results this weekend, with two of them going head-to-head at the KC Stadium. If their side's form isn't making Steve Bruce and Alan Irvine nervous, then the latest sack race odds just might. According to the Daily Mail today, Irvine is the outright favourite to be shown the door this weekend, with Coral offering odds of 2/1, while Bruce is third-favourite at a price of 7/1. Sandwiched in between the pair is Leicester City and former Hull City boss Nigel Pearson, who has done little to endear himself to Foxes fans after his midweek rant. The all-time Premier League record for a manager failing to get the sack came in the first ever season of the top flight, when Ian Porterfield lasted until February 15 as Chelsea boss in 1993.Dawson aware West Brom clash will define City's season THE added bonus of picking up a point against Everton has buoyed the Hull City squad, but Michael Dawson is aware it's results against the likes of West Brom that will define their season.The central defender captained Steve Bruce's side in the absence of Curtis Davies on Wednesday as the Tigers dug in for a 1-1 draw. But Dawson is aware that good performances and the odd point against teams at the top of the Premier League will count for nothing if they fail to capitalise on matches like their clash with Alan Irvine's side tomorrow. Asked if games like tomorrow's visit of West Brom to the KC Stadium will define Hull's campaign, Dawson told the Daily Mail: "Yes, of course they are. "You look at our recent performances away from home, when we have been to the Emirates Stadium, Anfield and now Goodison Park, and we have taken a point each time. "We can take a lot out of this – even in the first half (against Everton), with as much possession as they had, how many shots did they have on goal? Not too many. "But yes, the games against the likes of West Brom and other teams that are going to be around us are where we really need to pick up the points."Irvine grateful for chairman's support IT ISN'T just City who are in desperate need of all three points at the KC Stadium this weekend. West Brom have plummeted down the table following four straight defeats and manager Alan Irvine, who only took on the role in June this year, is coming under increasing pressure from his own fans. The vociferous opposition at home matches to Irvine's tenure have seen the Baggies' form suffer, with the Midlands side picking up just one win at The Hawthorns all season. And while Irvine may also be grateful for the break from the protests, he knows he still has support from the West Brom board after meeting with the chairman Jeremy Peace this week. He told the Express and Star: "All I can control is how we go about the job and continue to be as thorough, diligent and hard-working as I am and hopefully that will get us the results that I feel our performances have deserved. I think our performances have deserved better in recent weeks and I don't think they've been a true reflection of how we've played overall. "The chairman was great. I went to see him about a completely different matter. We spent 15 minutes just chatting over different things and he was great, as he has been all of the time. "I'm really grateful for the support he's given me. I'm fine and the chairman was perfectly calm – we just need a result."McAuley could make return at KC ALAN IRVINE may be tempted to give centre-back Gareth McAuley a late birthday present tomorrow by handing him his first Premier League appearance since May. The Northern Ireland international turns 35 today and has only made three appearances for the Baggies this season, all in the Capital One Cup. However, with Craig Dawson at fault for West Ham's second goal in midweek, Irvine is prepared shake things up defensively and start McAuley for the first time since their 2-1 defeat at home to Stoke at the end of last season. Speaking in the Birmingham Mail, Irvine said: "Craig Dawson can be really happy with what he's done so far this season and he was a player who was desperate to be given a fair chance. "He has certainly been given that. "We know that Gareth McAuley is a very good centre-back and we know about all the experience he's got. "It takes most people outside two minutes to pick a team. It takes me as long as I've got. "Even if it ends up being the same team, everybody gets considered and we are looking for different solutions."Austin almost quit football after failed City move QPR striker Charlie Austin has made a huge impact during his first season in the top flight, as he's been banging in the goals for the Loftus Road outfit. But the former Burnley and Swindon Town forward revealed he almost quit the game when a move to Hull City fell through after a failed medical last season. Austin told FourFourTwo: "How did I feel? I didn't really want to play football after that to be honest. "I thought 'Yeah that'll do, I'm not playing any more."Aluko named as a COD ambassador IT'S not been a bad week for Hull City's Sone Aluko. Coming off the bench midweek to seal a point for Steve Bruce's side, the Nigerian now looks in line for a starting place against West Brom tomorrow. And to top it all off, the 25-year-old has been made am ambassador for Lagos-based club COD United FC. The role will see him facilitate sessions, attend events, represent the club when his schedule allows and share his experiences with players of the club's academy and first team with the aim of inspiring and mentoring them. Aluko told Nigerian paper The National: " "It is a great privilege for me to be appointed as an ambassador of C.O.D United FC and their academy. "To start a partnership with a club of such strong ethical values and a growing reputation nationally and internationally is something I'm very honoured to be a part of."
