Hull City

Mike White
BBC Radio Humberside sport editor

Image source, Rex Features

This will be largely viewed as a positive and progressive appointment by Hull City, who need something to lift them from the despair of being in the bottom three and the stench of the failed Tim Walter experiment.

Selles was touted by a number of pundits and fans as the obvious choice given the impressive job he's done at Reading under increasingly challenging circumstances, and he should walk away from the Berkshire club with his head held high, even if he knows he's leaving the Royals still in a potentially perilous predicament off the field.

Thankfully, that's not the situation he's coming into with the Tigers but he still needs to make a relatively swift impact with a side whose winless run hit double figures in the post-Walter loss at Middlesbrough.

Although there were at least encouraging signs in that game that the players appeared to be playing with a little more freedom and a greater degree of confidence and positivity.

That was aided in no small part by interim boss Andy Dawson, who once again has shown a level of class and composure, a true calming influence, that has earned him respect from those he works with directly as well as fans and others around the club.

As for Selles, known for being supportive of his players, whilst giving them the freedom to express themselves, it will be music to the ears of regular City followers that, based on past interviews he's given, there is always a 'plan B'.

The "football philosophy" they frustratingly and repeatedly heard so much about under Tim Walter, and some might argue even the German's predecessor Liam Rosenior, will seemingly not be allowed to get in the way of reacting to changing situations in a game when things aren't going the way you'd want.

Selles will watch on from the stands as Dawson takes charge of the team at home to Blackburn Rovers on Saturday before the new boss steps in ahead of Wednesday's game with Watford at the MKM Stadium.

That might give him some idea of the task at hand and, with January around the corner, he'll know the likelihood of reinforcements can help to shape his squad for what could be a pivotal second half of the season.

Image source, PressBox Graphics

Managerless Hull head into their home clash against Blackburn seeking to avoid a sixth successive defeat - something they have not experienced since the end of the 2019/20 season, when they were relegated from the Championship.

The Tigers, who sacked Tim Walter just over a week ago, have gleaned just three points from their last 10 games but could climb out of the bottom three with a much-needed victory.

However, they face a Rovers side who cross the Pennines in good form after winning three games in a row, including victories over promotion contenders Middlesbrough and Leeds - and could climb into the top six themselves with another three points at the MKM Stadium.

● Hull City won both of their league games against Blackburn Rovers last season and will be looking to win three in succession for the first time in this fixture's history which was first contested back in August 1949.

● Blackburn have won three of their last five away league games against Hull City (L2), with each of those victories coming via a 1-0 score line.

● Hull are winless in their last 10 league games (D3 L7), losing the last five in a row. They last had a longer league losing streak in July 2020 (6).

● After a run of four games without a win (D1 L3), Blackburn have won each of their last three league games; they last won four in a row in March 2023.

● Only Plymouth (14) have conceded the opening goal in more Championship games this season than Hull City (13), losing each of their last seven games in the competition in which they've done so.

Image source, BBC Sport

Image source, Rex Features

Hull City forward Mason Burstow has admitted his relationship with ex-boss Tim Walter became so strained he felt like "giving up".

Burstow scored his first goal for the club in the Tigers' 3-1 defeat to Middlesbrough on Saturday, the game that immediately followed Walter's dismissal.

The Chelsea loanee claimed he tried to speak to Walter about a lack of game time during the early stage of the season but did not receive clarification as to why he was often left out of the side.

"I tried to speak to him a couple of times about playing time and what I can work on to get in the side because I felt like I trained well every day," he told BBC Radio Humberside.

"It was one of those things where I wasn’t really getting anything back so you almost had the feeling of giving up - it was difficult."

The 21-year-old started just two Championship matches under Walter before the German was sacked last week following a 2-0 home defeat to Sheffield Wednesday.

"Its tough because I felt like it was unnatural," he added.

"Coming through youth academies you always felt like you could speak to a staff member, you felt like you could get your points across - it was probably the first time I felt like I couldn’t."

The England Under-20 international added that his relationship with new interim boss Andy Dawson is more positive, however.

"Since they've come in, him and Erb [goalkeeping coach Erbil Bozkurt] have been two people we feel like we can speak to," said Burstow.

Image source, Getty Images

It is one of the most eagerly anticipated dates in the football calendar as Premier League and Championship clubs join the FA Cup action from round three.

The draw will take place on Monday, 2 December from 19:00 GMT and can be watched live on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer.

Image source, Rex Features

Hull City interim boss Andy Dawson has stated he aims to bring things back to basics following the sacking of Tim Walter on Wednesday.

Dawson takes the Tigers to Middlesbrough on Saturday lunchtime in his second stint as interim manager as they look to end a run of 10 matches without victory.

"It’ll always be basics - basics will always help you win a game of football," the 46-year-old told BBC Radio Humberside.

"That will always be an important value that you have to live by every single day, but actually basics make brilliance as well.

"If we can do that one to a 11, plus the subs, plus the people that aren’t in the squad, all buying into the importance of the end goal which is results there’s no reason why we can’t [climb the table]."

The Tigers have no fresh injury concerns but will be without Charlie Hughes for their trip to Teeside after the defender picked up his fifth booking in Tuesday's defeat to Sheffield Wednesday.

Dawson also confirmed under-23 coach Conor Sellars and U21 assistant manager Billy Clarke will make up his backroom staff for Saturday's game at the Riverside.

Image source, Rex Features

Hull City announced that they had dismissed head coach Tim Walter on Wednesday after just 18 games in charge.

The Tigers are currently 22nd on the Championship table and at risk of relegation, though they finished seventh at the end of last season's campaign under former boss Liam Rosenior who was sacked in May for failing to make the play-offs.

Tuesday night's 2-0 loss to Sheffield Wednesday seemed to be the final straw for owner Acun Ilicali - though prior to the match, he had claimed in a BBC Radio Humberside interview that a bad result would not endanger the German's job.

As for the fans, well it seems that many of you are not too aggrieved to say auf wiedersehen to your latest manager.

Williams: Hate calling for managers to go but it's been awful and progressively getting worse. It was not ever going to be a long term solution. Right decision to move on. Let's provide some stability to claw back a terrible season start.

Ridgway: He should have gone before the last international break and given the new manager more time (and points) to work with.

There are those of you who are still feeling sore following the controversial sacking of Rosenior.

Jeremy: Those who opposed the sacking of Rosenior will be saying quite rightly "I told you so" to the club's owners.

Karen: Shouldn't have sacked Rosenior. Losing five important players in Delap, Greaves, Morton, Carvalho and Philogene certainly hasn't helped, but keeping Rosenior may have resulted in their clubs allowing Hull to take more players on loan. Any upheaval in a team removes confidence and affects transfer options.

But Walter does still have some supporters among the Tiger's fans who feel that his reign was just too short to make an impact.

Debee: Thomas Franks first 10 games in charge… W 1 D 1 L 8 why don’t owners learn from this?

An offbeat view: Not the same team but Alex Ferguson took seven years to win the title. He was very nearly sacked. Clubs simply don't give managers the time to build a team these days. They expect instant success, a quick wave of a magic wand and there you go.

As for who you would like next, there's been many ideas floating around with recently available names such as ex-Coventry City boss Mark Robins and Steve Cooper, who took Nottingham Forest to the Premier League, being among them.

Mighty Tigers: At least they have done it now and not in January. Gives time to get a new manager in and some good loan deals identified ready for the transfer window. Mark Robins would be a good shout but not sure he will come. Could actually just give the role to Andy Dawson, a long term servant who knows the club and players well.

Steven: Well. Cooper is available and you could do worse than him. Times change, Hull were once a really well run club and seemed to do well. Now languishing in the wrong end of the Championship it's time to act so it's a good time but nobody should take pleasure in someone losing their job.

Mike White
BBC Radio Humberside sport editor

Image source, Rex Features

After just 17 league games and one abject Carabao Cup defeat, Tim Walter's time in East Yorkshire is over before it ever got going.

Hull have secured just three wins all season and have lost the past four to leave them in the bottom three. The term "sleepwalking towards relegation" has been used on more than one occasion by fans and pundits alike.

Walter had boldly proclaimed that "nobody is playing my way", which is a lofty perch to place yourself on but only creates an even bigger and harder fall if it doesn't pay off - and it hasn't.

The "progressive" playing style is one that has had fans scratching their heads in a confused state since day one and there have been too many times when the players appeared to feel that way as well.

Plus, he has increasingly alienated himself from many of the supporters with various public comments and actions that have only incensed an already anxious and edgy fanbase.

"Walterball" did not produce exciting, high-energy, high-intensity play and 17 goals from 18 games was not as advertised, leaving many still questioning owner Acun Ilicali's decision to part ways with Liam Rosenior in May after a seventh-placed finish.

Of course, that wasn't all plain sailing either as the results and many performances in the second half of last season fell way short, but Rosenior had galvanised the club on and off the field and was seemingly influential when it came to attracting players like Liam Delap, Jaden Philogene and Fabio Carvalho.

However, City's owner chose to tear it all down and go again with a manager/head coach who was unproven in one of the toughest leagues in football and having only experienced moderate success in his native Germany.

It should be said Walter was not the only one to blame in all of this. The summer recruitment was simply not good enough and they have been left with a squad lacking in some key areas, and they have been toothless in attack as a result.

However, a persistence with a "philosophy" that was not producing the required results has ultimately led to the end of a short and disappointing spell for Walter.

If the spotlight was on Ilicali following his last managerial change, the focus and scrutiny has just ramped up even further for the Turkish media mogul to get the next one right with the worrying but all-too-real possibility of this team being in a relegation fight.

Image source, Rex Features

BBC Radio Humberside reports that the Hull City have held a board meeting this morning to discuss the future of boss Tim Walter.

The Tigers slipped to a 2-0 defeat by Sheffield Wednesday on Tuesday night and are now winless in nine matches.

The German took over from Liam Rosenior in May but has won just three of his 17 league games in charge.

Speaking before the reverse to the Owls, owner Acun Ilicali had told the station that he would not sack Walter regardless of the result and asked for patience.

However, the Tigers were booed off by the home fans that remained at the MKM Stadium at full-time and they have won only one of their nine games in front of their own supporters this season.

Hull City are looking for their first win in nine league games (D3 L5) as they host Sheffield Wednesday on Tuesday.

The run of lacklustre results leaves the Tigers in the precarious position of 22nd on the Championship table, three points ahead of Portsmouth in 23rd but, equally, three points off Luton in 16th.

Meanwhile the Owls dominated their 1-1 draw against Cardiff at the weekend and will be hoping that their form sees results this time around as they aim to climb out of the bottom half with a rare away win.

• Hull have won four of their last five league games against Sheffield Wednesday but did lose 3-1 against them on New Year’s Day this year.

• Sheffield Wednesday have lost their last three away league games against Hull since winning 1-0 in April 2018.

• Hull have won just two of their previous 16 home league games (D9 L5) and could lose successive such games for the first time since November 2022.

• No Championship side has lost more away games since the start of last season than Sheffield Wednesday (19), losing four of their seven such games this season (W2 D1).

• Sheffield Wednesday’s Josh Windass has scored two goals in four Football League appearances against Hull, netting last time out against the Tigers in January.

Hull City head coach Tim Walter is confident he has the full support of owner Acun Ilicali following a meeting during the international break.

Ahead of Saturday's Championship clash with Luton Town, Walter stated he still felt secure in his role after Ilicali spelt out an explanation for the club's slow start to the season to fans in the Hull Daily Mail, external.

"I know because we have a really good relationship, so, for your side [the media] it may be new but for my side its not new," Walter told BBC Radio Humberside.

"We talked all the time about long-term [ambitions] but if you believe him more than me then that’s also OK, because he’s the owner then that’s fine for me.

"I’m very confident, I’m very happy about this.”

Walter has been under scrutiny by some sections of supporters following a run that has seen them fail to win in their last seven league matches and fall to 19th.

After 15 games last season, with Liam Rosenior in charge, the Tigers were ninth and eight points better off than they are now.

"You need something to write, something to report to the fans, to the others and for me," Walter added.

"I’m happy to have a game this week on Saturday and have an upcoming week where we’re playing a lot of games and show where we have improved ourselves."

Ilicali, a media mogul in his homeland of Turkey, explained earlier this week that injuries to key players had been a mitigating factor to the side's poor form.

Walter, however, believes taking responsibility will be key if his side are going to turn around their current fortunes and will be buoyed by the news that midfielders Steven Alzate and Marvin Mehlem have returned to first-team training, while winger Abu Kamara should be in the squad to face Luton.

“I have to adapt every day, I can adapt every day and I try to improve myself," Walter added.

"It’s always about looking in the mirror and seeing your own face and that's important that you look on the left, and on the right, but at the end, you have to look straight."

Image source, Rex Features

Hull City head coach Tim Walter has confirmed long-term absentee Steven Alzate is back in first-team training ahead of Saturday's home match against Luton Town.

The Tigers have been without the former Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder for the last six Championship matches but his return to training on Thursday signals a timely boost as Liam Millar, Andy Smith, Mohamed Belloumi and goalkeeper Carl Rushworth remain out.

Walter has also welcomed back winger Abu Kamara, who's missed the previous two games due to an ankle injury, and midfielder Marvin Mehlem.

"Today was the first day for Steven Alzate and today was the first day for Marvin and Abu is back so he is good to go for Saturday," Walter told BBC Radio Humberside.

The German head coach remained slightly more tight-lipped whether or not Alzate would be fit enough to start on Saturday, however.

"I don’t know at the moment but he could be [ready] for Saturday’s match," he added.

"We have to take care and we have to build up the physicality and stability so they are ready to go for the next games."

The Tigers boss stated there had been a delay to Belloumi's surgery on a cruciate ligament injury that will keep him out until the end of the season.

"I don't know where we are we going to do it because of the language, maybe its better to do in an Arabic country or maybe it would be better to do it over here - it is just this decision," he said of the Algerian's proposed operation.

Walter stated the Tigers had picked up no further injuries during the international break while Bayer Leverkusen loanee Gustavo Puerta is expected to fly back to England on Friday from Colombia.

Walter also confirmed that Canadian winger Millar's knee surgery over the international break went "brilliantly".

Listen to the press conference on BBC Sounds