Hull City-Blackburn Rovers Preview

Feb 8, 2010 - 5:14 PM WALTER SIMON STATS European Football Writer=

LONDON (SE) - Jozy Altidore aims to crown a dream week for rejuvenated Hull by firing the Tigers to victory at relegation rivals Blackburn on Wednesday.

Altidore scored his first Premier League goal during Saturday's surprise 2-1 win at home to Manchester City.

That victory came days after Phil Brown's side had held leaders Chelsea to a 1-1 draw.

United States striker Altidore said: "Saturday was one of our better team performances. We started well and that allowed a lot of individuals to show off their skills. It gives us confidence.

"It was another hard game. I don't think either Manchester City or Chelsea were easy games but we put in 100 per cent effort.

"We have shown we can stay here but that is not enough. We have to keep putting in the performances week-in and week-out. That will give us a chance."

Altidore has also promised a goal-packed end to the season after finally ending his 18-match drought.

The 20-year-old said: "It takes time to adjust, especially when you are a young player. The speed and pace is huge but I feel like I am getting there.

"It is not really the style which has been hard to come to terms with, more that it is a very fast league, you have to read it and understand it.

"The main goal all along has been to keep Hull City in the Premier League and you have to do that by any means.

"Not scoring in the Premier League was not playing on my mind. I hadn't really been thinking about it.

"It is a challenge to play here and you have to keep it in perspective."

Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce has set his side a 40-point survival target. Rovers are seven points clear of the relegation zone despite Saturday's 3-0 defeat at Stoke.

Allardyce has warned his players they cannot afford to relax yet, saying: "I said it last week but the throwing away of two points at West Ham was the big one for us.

"That is where we are looking back and are very regretful we didn't get those three points.

"Sitting on 30 points rather than 28 would make us look a lot more comfortable.

"We are not out of trouble by a long chalk yet. The magic 40 point mark is looming and that is where we have to get to. You haven't had to get that many for many, many years but that is the magic mark.

"We now have a big game on Wednesday. We have to put the disappointment behind us and get back to winning ways.

"I am very disappointed in our overall performance at Stoke.

"Our players were not as good as they should have been by far today and we have to take it on the chin, pick ourselves up for Wednesday, which is going to be a hugely tough game.

"I saw Hull against Chelsea in midweek and they have beaten Manchester City on Saturday, so it will be a big, big game for us to get three points on the board."