Stelios Giannakopoulos is confident the Tigers can battle on two fronts this season following their 0-0 draw with Newcastle in the FA Cup.

City now face a replay at St James' Park next week but Stelios, who was handed his first City start in Saturday's draw, doesn't see the competition as a distraction from league duties.

"There are two competitions we can go in," said Stelios.

"So far the season has been very good, if you take out the last couple of league games. We're trying to build on the performances that got us into the top six or seven in the division.

"We tried to do that on Saturday. At least we took the clean sheet mentality into the game. Every game we play can have a positive impact on our season because if you play well and win, the psychology changes.

"Every game is like an examination. If you play well, the feedback is positive, if you play badly, you get criticised.

"But that is part of being a footballer."

Stelios was also pleased to be handed his first start for the Tigers. Having signed for the club in September, he has had to be patient in his bid to gain match fitness but he now hopes he can become a regular in the first team.

"For every player, it is important to get matches under the belt. For me, it is a long time since I last played 90 minutes and so Saturday was good for me.

"I was feeling a little bit tired at the end of the game but that is natural. I felt that I gave 100 per cent to try and impress the manager.

"Players have to play and we try hard in training and in games to show the manager that we can get into the team.

"I thought we played a good game on Saturday and we had some good spells in the game. We had chances to score goals, but it was one of those days when the ball doesn't go into the back of the net. That was the only thing missing."