Republic of Ireland midfielder David Meyler admits manager-less Premier League newcomers Hull face a tough survival battle, claiming "it will be some story" if they avoid relegation.
The Tigers have endured a nightmare pre-season, losing manager Steve Bruce, suffering significant injuries to an already thin first-team squad and selling key midfielder Mohamed Diame to Newcastle this week.
Caretaker manager Mike Phelan remains in charge at present, though former West Ham and Watford boss Gianfranco Zola remains heavily linked after the Football Association of Wales rejected permission to speak to Chris Coleman.
Supporter unrest is palpable too due to ongoing fissures with the Allam family, who own the club, and Meyler is not hiding from the challenges facing the players.
"Things have happened but we move on, that's all we can do as players," the Cork man told the Hull Daily Mail.
"We're trying to just focus on staying in the Premier League. What happens off the field we can't affect.
"We want to give this season a hell of a go and it'll be some story if we're able to stay up.
"We have to go out there and do a job. Whether it's Mick (Phelan) in charge or whoever, we have to go out there and do our best for the club.
"I don't want to go out there and get beat 3-0 or 4-0. That's not acceptable. We must do our jobs and we want people to forget about the stuff that's going on and focus on the team."
