Confidence high ahead of Hull, says Shaun

Shaun Wright-Phillips says that the City squad are in the mood to defy the critics and get back to winning ways at Hull on Sunday.

The Blues favourite, an ever-present since his return from Chelsea and with four goals to his name, says that despite three straight defeats in the league confidence in the camp is high.

He says, "The mood from the players is that the critics might as well stop now because no one is paying any attention. Morale is high, everyone is raring to go in training and we cannot wait for the next games to come along.

"Having a go at a manager, just a couple of months into a new job, appears to go with the territory. Mark Hughes has plenty of experience of playing and managing at the highest level and he knows what to expect. He is cool and everyone else is cool because we all know how the game works.

"We have been playing some good football and we just need to put a run of results together."

Shaun could be seen as one of the elder statesmen in a youthful City squad, and he's flattered at the suggestion that some of City's younger players could be turning to him for advice.

He continues, "I have experienced the highs and lows of football in my career so far and if others want to draw on that then I take it as a compliment.

"It's nice for people to look up to me and ask for advice. I feel I am able to give a balanced point of view. It is a time for the players to take a lead and I think everyone will do that without question. We have plenty of character in our squad."

Shaun proved to be a big hit when he dropped in at Age Concern's 'Winter Warmth' afternoon at The Plaza theatre in Stockport this week. As part of the Premier League's Creating Chances initiative, he helped distributed packs containing hats, gloves, hand-warmers and blankets to elderly people from the area as well as signing autographs and chatting with lots of people that had dropped in for the afternoon.

Shaun told us, "It was a different experience for me because I am more used to dealing with young kids and keeping them off the streets but it was something I enjoyed thoroughly and the message is an important one, older people have to keep warm in the winter.

"I had a great laugh and the women were quite overwhelming!"