The Tigers have looked turgid in recent weeks, and Mike Phelan already has a tough task on his hands to turn things around at Hull City.
Hull City manager Mike Phelan looks dejected
Played 5, lost 5, scored 3, conceded 19. That’s how Hull City’s recent form looks. It’s a worrying run which saw Mike Phelan’s men slip into the relegation zone for the first time this season at the weekend, although they already had the worst goal difference in the top flight.
There has been something of a backlash against Phelan, the Premier League’s Manager of the Month for September, following the abject defeats to Bournemouth and Stoke City. It is important to remember the size of the task Phelan has taken on, inheriting a squad which he had very little time to mould and all transfer activity having been held off until one day before the deadline.
Hull City were relegation favourites. Wantaway owners not attending matches, disgruntled supporters voting with their feet and a paper thin squad which he has been unable to put his stamp on and is already suffering from injuries. That being said, it’s difficult to justify his recent team selections, and there are three things Phelan must now do to turn things around at the KCOM.
Xherdan Shaqiri put Hull City to the sword on Saturday
Firstly, he must switch to playing a 3-5-2. It is a formation which many of the players are familiar with having played it regularly under Steve Bruce, particularly during the Villa managers first couple of years at Hull.
With Andy Robertson out for 2 months and Moses Odubajo most likely out for the season, the Tigers don’t actually have a fit traditional full-back in their senior squad.
Furthermore, with Robert Snodgrass likely to be sidelined for some time (the full extent of his injury is yet to be revealed), they are also without a recognised out-and-out winger in their squad. It would also allow Mike Phelan to play two forwards, something that is vitally important as he doesn’t seem to believe Abel Hernandez is capable of playing as a lone striker.
Robert Snodgrass’ absence makes a transition to 3-5-2 more likely
Ahmed Elmohamady and Sam Clucas would take up the wing back roles. This would be perfect for Elmohamady who has struggled defensively in recent weeks and looks utterly devoid of confidence. With exceptional stamina and a good delivery into the box from deep, wing back is the position which has always suited the Egyptian best.
For Clucas, it would be a shame. He has been Hull City’s best midfielder this season, but should 3-5-2 prove successful, he could return to the centre of midfield upon Andy Robertson’s return to first team action.
Ahmed Elmohamady is perfectly suited to playing in a 3-5-2
Secondly, Mike Phelan must drop Will Keane. One is reluctant to single out a 23-year-old lad who has made only 4 appearances for the club, but he is simply not yet at the level to be starting Premier League games, let alone starting them as a lone striker.
The former Manchester United trainee scored 1 goal in 20 games in the Championship last season, compared to Abel Hernandez’s 20 goals in 39 games. The fact is, Keane wouldn’t get a look in, in terms of the starting XI, at any other Premier League club, and Hull City should be no different.
In fact, with a record of 4 goals in 52 games over the course of his career, none of which have come in the Premier League, and having been lambasted by Preston fans for his poor performances last season, one might argue Keane would be lucky to be starting for a Championship club this season.
Will Keane is a lucky man to be starting at Hull City
Thirdly and finally, Mike Phelan must start Abel Hernandez. Hull City’s Supporters’ Player of the Year and Hull City’s Players’ Player of the Year last season, Hernandez was the third highest scorer in the Championship, and the first Hull City player to score 20 league goals in a single campaign since Stuart Elliott in League One more than a decade ago.
Given the Tigers perennial struggles to get their hands on a prolific goal scorer, it seems like insanity that now they finally have one, a 23-year-old with 4 career league goals is starting ahead of him. Now Hernandez is not perfect, he sometimes lacks strength, his hold up play isn’t the best and as such, he is not always an outlet for the team when they are under the cosh.
That being said, he is still by far the club’s best striker, and a man with a cool head in front of goal. Phelan stated his reluctancy to play Hernandez as a lone striker at the weekend, but in a 3-5-2, Adama Diomande could be used as a partner for the Uruguayan, something the Tigers tried for the last 20 minutes against Stoke, their brightest period of the match.
Abel Hernandez has to start for Hull City
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
