Hull chairman Paul Duffen has dismissed speculation surrounding the future of manager Phil Brown as "mischief making."

Brown's side suffered a 6-1 hammering at Liverpool on Saturday to leave the Tigers one place off the foot of the Barclays Premier League.

Hull's poor start to the season, and wretched 2009 overall - they have won just two and lost 17 of 24 league games since the turn of the year - has resulted in Brown's position coming under scrutiny.

But despite the mauling at Anfield, City's fourth successive loss, Duffen told the Hull Daily Mail: "There is no speculation at the football club about the manager's position.

"That's just mischief making in the media if there is. We are certainly not aware of it. At the moment we are seven games into a new campaign, and we are right in the mix.

"Only a few points separate us from the middle of the league, and I am really pleased with the signs I see developing in the squad."

Duffen feels there are a number of people who have come to expect too much from a club that only played top-flight football for the first time in its history last season.

"In football you are always going to find a vociferous minority who will be discontented," added Duffen.

"I also think second-season syndrome articulates a little bit about fans and a club who got into the Premier League for the first time in 104 years.

"In the second season maybe they have set themselves unrealistic expectations.

"As you could see, we certainly don't lack spirit or heart.

"Everyone is playing for each other and they are certainly playing for the manager."