Hull City boss Phil Brown admits victory over Stoke has eased the pressure on him.
Brown gave no interviews after the game but spoke for the first time after a friendly against Serie A side Atalanta in Italy on Thursday night.
When asked what the Stoke result had done for his side, Brown said: "I think less pressure but more confidence where the players are concerned.
"When you ask the players to play football you have to play with confidence and today we have seen a little more confidence.
"Hopefully we can carry that into the West Ham game."