Lewie Coyle admits Hull City have suffered a lot this season, but says he’s proud of the character the dressing room showed in securing survival on the final day.
City went into the game at Portsmouth inside the bottom three after last weekend’s disastrous home loss to relegation rivals Derby County at the MKM Stadium, though they knew destiny was in their own hands.
Matt Crooks’ goal set them on their way early on, before Christian Saydee slammed in the equaliser early in the second half half to ensure a nervy finish with he Tigers knowing defeat would relegate them to League One.
With Luton Town on the wrong end of a hammering at West Brom, the Tigers knew a point would be enough and they got that result, sparking scenes of huge relief both on the pitch and in the stands.
“That speaks volumes behind us (referencing the away support singing). They (the fans) travelled in their numbers, they sold it out. We were always going to need them, but massive credit to the boys, the staff and everybody involved in the football club,” Coyle told ITV.
After finishing seventh last season, City have endured a nightmare 12 months with two permanent managers since Liam Rosenior was sacked, coupled with a huge turnover in the playing squad.
Only Coyle, Sean McLoughlin and Alfie Jones were part of the squad at Plymouth Argyle on the final day of last season, and again this term, showing the churn in the dressing room. Despite the change, the skipper hailed the spirit of his charges in battling to get a crucial result.
“It’s been a difficult year for us this year,” he admitted. “We’ve been at the other end of the table, which is not where we want to be. We’ve suffered a lot this year, at times. A lot of it is down to our own doing. We have to take responsibility as players, we’ve not been good enough at times.
“I know exactly what that means to everyone inside that dressing room, and I couldn’t be more proud of the lads. When our backs were against the wall and the chips were down, I found out a lot about me and my teammates, and it’s made me very proud.”