Hull boss Phil Brown admits he needs to make some "big decisions" this week as he tries to arrest the club's alarming run of form.

Brown's side have won just two Barclays Premier League games in 2009 and, after narrowly avoiding relegation last term, are 19th in the current table. Saturday's 6-1 thrashing at Liverpool, coming after demoralising losses to Sunderland, Birmingham and Everton, has increased the pressure on Brown with some fans already calling for his sacking.

"Obviously you are going to have your critics but now is the time for strong men to make strong decisions and I am going to have to make some big decisions," Brown told the club's website, www.hullcityafc.net.

"Obviously we are all suffering at the moment and people have called for change.

"We are still in a position higher than we have ever been in our careers in terms of the history of Hull City.

"We are still proud of the fact we are hosting 25,000 at the KC, have 21,000 season-ticket holders and proud of the fact we had 3,000 fans chanting my name, and Hull City, at Liverpool on Saturday - even in the face of defeat. With that kind of support I can't go wrong."

Hull host Wigan in a crucial game on Saturday at the start of an important October which also includes fixtures against Fulham, Portsmouth and Burnley.

Brown is hoping defender Anthony Gardner will be fit to return while record signing Jimmy Bullard has been pencilled in for an appearance in the reserves next week.

If he comes through unscathed, Bullard - who has played just once since his £5million signing in January after undergoing knee surgery - could then feature against former club Fulham on October 19.

With Ian Ashbee on the long-term casualty list and George Boateng not assured of a regular place, Brown suggested he will also name a new captain this weekend.