Walter 'open' to talk to unhappy Hull City fans

Tim Walter's Hull City are 18th in the Championship but only above the bottom three on goal difference

Hull City boss Tim Walter has said fans are welcome to talk to him about the team's performances.

The Tigers are winless in their past six Championship games and some fans called for the German to leave after the 1-0 defeat at Oxford United on Tuesday.

The 49-year-old has so far won just three of 14 league matches since he took over in May after Liam Rosenior was sacked despite leading them to a seventh-placed finish.

"They have to talk to me. I am open for a conversation with them," he told BBC Radio Humberside.

"It's not about crying from the stands or writing situations on social media, I am open for them, we can talk to each other.

"I am open-minded and have the willingness to learn as well. We want the togetherness. We want to do it with them."

The former Hamburg manager, who angered fans after questioning their lack of support in the 1-1 draw with Portsmouth last Saturday, believes that some of their unhappiness is because they are not used to his style of play.

Since arriving at the MKM Stadium, Walter has tried to instil a more methodical, possession-based style to open up opposition defences, with a focus on building from the back.

"They are welcome to see what we are doing all the time because it is different," he added.

"It's different to play possession instead of always trying to play transition.

"Transition is maybe more for the stands and entertainment but the other is to heighten your probability to win games."

'If you look behind you lose direction'

The Tigers have 15 points from 14 games and are only above the relegation zone on goal difference.

Despite the slow start Walter says he has a good relationship with owner Acun Ilicali and is looking to the long-term.

"I am speaking everyday to the owner and we have an open communication," he said.

"We are always in touch to talk about not only football but to develop the club.

"It's not about 'last year you were seventh so you must become sixth or fifth' it's about the longer term.

"It's not about winning promotion this year and being relegated the next. It's about how we can develop this great club.

"The future is not Sunday or the week afterwards. My contract is three years. We are talking about the long-term."

The Tigers host West Brom, who have drawn their past six games, on Sunday. Walter believes his side are improving as they look for just a second home win of the season.

"I look at the performances not the results. If you look at the performances in the past few games there is a progression of more than 100% since the start of the season," he added.

"I am always positive and looking forwards. If you look in the rear view mirror of the car then you will lose your direction."