Hull City manager Grant McCann has indicated that having the fans "in full force" could be key to his side having success this season.
The Tigers pulled off an impressive 3-0 victory over Fulham at Craven Cottage on Saturday, with Josh Bowler, Jarrod Bowen and Tom Eaves adding the goals.
The result means McCann's side have now won three games on the bounce and have moved to within three points of the play-off places.
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After unrest in recent years, there have been distinct efforts to get the fans back on side in the last few weeks–including inviting fans to the team hotel in London, holding an open training session at the KCOM Stadium and offering half-price tickets for the visit of Derby County.
The latter seemed to have a huge effect as the Derby clash attracted Hull's highest home crowd in 18 months and also kick-started their current winning run.
Speaking to Hull Live after the Fulham win, McCann revealed he felt the fans could be key to his side's success this season.
He said: "We want to bring the players, the staff and the club closer to the fans.
“We just want to make sure we’re closer to the fans because ultimately when they’re in full force like they were last week, they can get us over the line in certain games.
“You can’t have success without that so we want everyone pulling in the right direction. I think we’re starting to turn a corner with that.”
Hull welcome high-flying West Bromwich Albion to the KCOM Stadium next week, with the club offering half-price tickets once again.
A win against the Baggies could see Hull move into the top six if results elsewhere go their way and would be their fourth victory in a row.
McCann added: "Everyone told me it was a deadly six games a few weeks ago but every game in this league is tough.
"We’ve got another big, big team coming to the KCOM next week.
“I don’t want to start throwing statements around or anything like that but we’ve come (to Fulham) and done a job.
“We’ve done a job in the last three games and we’ve done it well.
“Now we want to try and keep on top of that, keep the consistency and keep drumming home the messages into the boys for them to keep growing."
The Verdict
After an inconsistent start to the season, Hull seem to be finding their feet under McCann and have been climbing up the table in recent weeks.
The result against Fulham was a huge statement of intent and picking up another win against West Brom would show the rest of the league that they're a team that has to be taken seriously.
It's great to see the Yorkshire club trying to get closer to the fans. Having their largest crowd in 18 months appeared to spur them on against Derby and it could play a huge part when the Baggies visit next weekend.