Hull City boss Steve Bruce is convinced that his troops will get over their dismal mid-season form and comfortably survive in the Premier League.
The Tigers sit above the relegation zone on goal difference after picking up just two points from their last six outings.
Bruce splashed out some £30m in the summer, and the 54-year-old is confident that his pre-season buys will ultimately gel and aid the team's ascent up the table.
"Confidence is an easy word but they have to roll their sleeves up and get stuck into it. You need to battle through it because that's what Premier League players do," he told reporters.
"We've still got a long, long way to go. We've made four or five changes in the summer and that will improve us, I'm convinced of that.
"It's my job, you have to keep believing. I still believe we're a better team than we were last year. We have to find a formula of winning games but I'm convinced we will."
Bruce's side travel to Merseyside on Wednesday for a clash with Everton at Goodison Park.
Shane Callaghan
