Boos filled the air as Phil Dowd signalled the end of another disappointing showing from Hull City. Saturday's 1-0 defeat to Birmingham sent shock-waves around East Yorkshire, and gave new ammunition to a vocal minority of anti-Brown activists.

While the dissenting voices are surely premature, their sentiments are starting to have an air of reason. Brown's men started slowly, and never really found their rhythm at any stage of what was in reality a very winnable game. Like the game against Bolton, this game was one from the mini league of teams who are likely to be in the relegation mix-up at the end of the season. That City seemed to lack a real desire, more than a lack of quality, is a real cause for concern.

The stilted performance does have its mitigating circumstances. A new side takes time to gel, and City had three new partnerships down the spine of the side. The centre half pairing of Zayatte and Sonko at least looked more solid and organised than the second half shambles at Sunderland, and the partnership will surely improve further with time. Marney and Olofinjana had only played together for half an hour prior to Saturday. Both showed glimpses of potential, but lost the midfield battle as Birmingham cleverly overcrowded the central third of the pitch. A strange pairing up front saw the very raw looking Altidiore paired with Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink. Both were making their league starting debuts for the Tigers, and understandably found it difficult to link up with the other. Either of the physical front men would surely prosper from playing alongside a pacier colleague. Ghlias will surely start up front at Anfield next Saturday.

Give Birmingham their due. The Blues produced a compact, efficient performance that was very reminiscent of City's better away days from last season. It was class smash and grab raid, as the visitors frustrated the Tigers and threatened on the break through the impressive Christian Benitez, whose pace troubled the City backline constantly. The towering Gary O'Conner was thrown on late in the game, and his presence brought the winning goal from a corner, a goal that in truth had been coming as the game wore on. Had it not been for an excellent performance from Myhill, the defeat could have taken on an even more depressing look.

But the game is gone now. City can't be much worse than they were on Saturday, and Brown will surely have his troops fired up for first a potentially interesting Carling Cup clash with Everton, and then a trip to play the red half of Merseyside on the Saturday. The manager is starting to come under pressure from the Tigers fans, whom on the face of it probably should have more patience. It should not be forgotten the great strides the club has made under Brown, and this in itself means he has earned the right to be given a chance to turn the recent performances around. This new look City side needs a few games to find its feet. After the Liverpool game next week comes a run of very winnable games.

The time to judge Brown is at the end of October. By then we will have a far better idea of where our season is heading, and Duffen will have some justification in taking action if he feels it is needed. I for one am confident that such action will not be needed.

Is Brown living on borrowed time? I'd love to hear your views.

TC