Hull V Everton at The KCOM Stadium : Match Preview

29 December 2016 19:35
Hull V Everton - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.


Mike Phelan: Hungry players welcome to tackle Hull's challenge

Hull's predicament at the foot of the Premier League offers an ideal opportunity for players at other clubs who are hungry for a fresh challenge, according to manager Mike Phelan.

Phelan, whose side can move off bottom spot with a first win in eight league games on Friday night against Everton at the KCOM Stadium, is still waiting to talk with the club's owners about their January transfer window strategy.

But the Tigers boss remains confident of strengthening a squad depleted by injuries to key players this season.

"At this moment in time we're looking at every option to bring players in," Phelan said.

"One of the biggest challenges for any player coming into the club is the position we're in at the moment.

"If they're courageous enough and want that challenge to either put their name out there to the clubs they're at or they want to show they are better than where they're at, then this is the club to come for that challenge.

"We can give them that opportunity. If we can get the right players with the right credentials then that's what we'll try and do."

Phelan has won just three of his 18 league games in charge since replacing Steve Bruce in the summer while his task has not been made easier by the loss of defender Moses Odubajo, goalkeeper Allan McGregor and summer signing Will Keane to long-term injuries.

Striker Abel Hernandez, who has missed the last seven games due to a groin problem, remains at least 10 days away from a return to action and Phelan's priority in January will be to try and increase his firepower.

He revealed before the Boxing Day defeat to Manchester City that he had yet to learn from the club's hierarchy what funds would be made available for team strengthening.

When asked if there had been any progress, Phelan said: "Nothing has developed.

"I'm doing my job. I'm trying to get around games, I'm trying to see players.

"It's difficult because some of them aren't playing at the level of the Premier League, but you have to do your work and then it's a case of trying to get something done.

"That's always a hard thing. It's been difficult in the past to get players into the football club, but it's not impossible.

"I don't see anything as being impossible. We just need to try and narrow things down and get some serious work done."

Everton boss Ronald Koeman feels Hull's recent performances show they should not be viewed as easy opponents.

While Everton will certainly fancy their chances of inflicting another defeat, Koeman has emphasised he was impressed by some of what he saw from Hull in their last two outings, a 1-0 reverse at West Ham and 3-0 home loss to Manchester City.

When it was put to him that Everton fans may well be expecting another victory to add to the 2-0 Boxing Day triumph at Leicester, the Dutchman said: "Yes, but that's the most dangerous thing you can do in football, because we know the Premier League is unpredictable.

"Maybe you expect a win, and then it will be totally different.

"I don't look to the classification, the position in the table, because I watched Hull against Manchester City. After 70 minutes it was still 0-0 and City were not creating a lot of chances.

"Also, Hull lost the game at West Ham 1-0 but they were the better team and hit the post several times.

"So don't focus on positions in the table. It's a tough one, a difficult one and we need to be at our best to get a good result."

Goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg will be missing once again on Friday when Koeman's side look to make it three wins from four matches.

Stekelenburg was ruled out of the Leicester game with a dead leg and remains sidelined, with Joel Robles set to continue in his place.

Midfielder James McCarthy (hamstring) is also still unavailable, as is full-back Bryan Oviedo (unspecified), while Yannick Bolasie and Muhamed Besic are both out of action due to long-term knee injuries.


Source: PAR