Hull manager Steve Bruce admits his side need to play catch-up after the international break to get back on track.
The Tigers' early promotion push looked to have hit the skids following three successive defeats, but Saturday's win at Sheffield Wednesday leaves them within touching distance.
"For me, we're two points behind where I'd ideally like to be," Bruce told the Hull Daily Mail. "We set a target of 10 or 11 points from the last group of six fixtures.
"Unfortunately we've only picked up nine, so we're behind where I'd ideally like to be. Then again, when you look at the league we're only three points behind third.
"We know just how tight a division this is and all we can do is look after ourselves and make sure we keep collecting those points.
"This division is anything but easy, it needs you to be on top of your game every week or you will be tripped up."
