Laws facing 'huge task'

Home defeat by Burnley has also increased speculation about the Hillsborough manager's future.

But there has still been no outward sign from Laws that he is looking over his shoulder.

He insists he still believes in himself - and tried to focus on Saturday's home clash with Hull as yet another opportunity to begin putting things right.

Laws also admitted that he had "some thinking to do" as he plotted the way ahead.

"The only way we're going to turn this around is by regrouping and working hard for each other.

"When you get that bit of or luck or that opportunity, and you do get that result, it's an unbelievable feeling for the players and it will increase their confidence.

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"It's a huge task on our hands. It's not going to be for the faint-hearted."

Laws, refusing to slam the team, said he saw a lot of young players in the dressing room who need help rather than "lambasting".

He added: "We have a lot of thinking to do. When emotions are running high, you can say the wrong things, as well. You have to step back and reflect on that performance, and try to look from the outside, in trying to get that first win."

Looking ahead to Saturday's game, against a Hull side who last night won at Wolves, he said: "We have only a few days. When confidence is low, fitness is affected because it is mentally and physically draining. It's about trying to recharge their batteries and recharge their beliefs.

"When you lose a game you have to dust yourself down. You have to have your inner belief. I still have my belief. I hope the players will have theirs.

"I want to try to play in the right manner. Do we change our change or system, change our philosophy in trying to get the result? That's the question I am asking myself."

After defensive frailty resurfaced last night, Laws added: "Hull will come here to do what Burnley did - to frustrate us and not allow us to play. The last thing we want is to shoot ourselves in the foot and give away silly goals."

n Owls chairman Dave Allen has declined to comment on an FA charge that accuses him of using "abusive and/or insulting words" at the Hillsborough press conference where he strongly criticised certain fans - he explained in the aftermath that he was targeting solely those who abused him in front of his grandchildren.

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