Mike Phelan has said that he intends to use the experience gained from his time working alongside Sir Alex Ferguson to help Hull City out of trouble.

The 54-year-old acted as second-in-command to Ferguson at Manchester United between 2008 and 2013, enjoying plenty of success before departing Old Trafford when Fergie called time on his managerial career.

Phelan has now ventured into senior management for the first time by taking on the Hull job, but five defeats in a row have seen his side slip down the Premier League table and in desperate need of a result against Southampton this weekend.

Despite the Tigers' poor run of form, Phelan insists that the mood in the camp ahead of Sunday's visit of the Saints is still largely positive.

"You get your skills from watching all sorts of people," he told reporters. "I've been fortunate to work with plenty of good coaches and managers from being in an establishment where you have to keep a level head.

"When everyone's reacting or over-reacting, you need to keep a sense of purpose and look further forward than just the last game. I think that's important here because we have our trials and tribulations all over at this club but we are dealing with them.

"What's most important is making sure that players are fully focused on their job - to try to win football matches. We are confident and we are upbeat about things. It does take a lot of hard work and togetherness to do that."

Phelan, a coach since 1995, was given the Hull job on a permanent basis last month after taking over as caretaker from Steve Bruce in the summer.