Skip to content

Hull players starting to believe, says new manager Marco Silva

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Hull manager Marco Silva has promised he will wave to fans during their chants as he chats ahead of the Super Sunday clash with Chelsea

Hull boss Marco Silva admits the club need reinforcements in January, but says his players are starting to believe in a new philosophy.

The Portuguese boss arrived at the KCOM Stadium on January 5, replacing Mike Phelan, with Hull sitting in the relegation places.

While the Tigers remain in the drop zone spot on goal difference, Silva has overseen two victories in three games in the last two weeks, and says the players are starting to adapt to his style of play.

"It is important to me for the players to understand what we want from the team and they believe it is the right way which is important because when one player doesn't believe, it is not easy," he told Soccer Saturday.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Hull 3-1 Bournemouth

"I feel like they are starting to believe and our performances gives this answer for me also. We need improve many things in the coming weeks, I'm sure of that, but what I saw in the last few games is important because I feel we have referred to what we prepared in training during the week.

"There are some problems to solve. We have started to solve the most important problems to give the players more confidence, to change a lot of things in our organisation in the club as well. I feel like the players know what I want from the team and this is most important.

Live Nissan Super Sunday

"It is a big challenge for me and the coaches because it is the Premier League. The situation in the table is not the best but I believe in our capacity and our competency, both with the coaches and my players.

Also See:

"I am clear in my mind that we need to improve our squad and I say to the owner that this situation is important. We stay here to continue our work and find solutions to improve."

Hull's players look dejected after conceding in their 3-0 defeat at Tottenham
Image: Hull are in the bottom three on goal difference

Hull have made three signings in January and although Silva admits he needs more bodies, he was quick to praise the current squad.

"The most important thing for us is the players we have at the moment because these players worked for the last six months in the club, they fight a lot to change a situation that is not easy," he added.

The Marco Silva effect
The Marco Silva effect

Could Marco Silva save Hull City from relegation? The early signs are encouraging...

"In the last week, we won two games with these players, not with the players coming in. But the club knows that we want to improve our squad because we don't have the numbers for the level that we play at in the Premier League. We will see if it is possible to get these players but we will try until the last day.

"The number [of players] is not the most important, it's about quality players. We have quality players here but our numbers are not normal at this level.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Jeff Stelling and Jamie Redknapp look ahead to Chelsea against Hull

"When we came in, we had 13 or 14 players to train which is not normal, it is impossible to work like we worked in the first five or six days.

"Today, I have five or six players in training from the academy to try to put on a competitive training session. We need to improve with quality first of all and of course, while the number is not important, we do need players.

"All the people know that we don't have a big budget to change things in this window. I try to keep hold of our most important players of course because you need to improve the team and not sell our players."

Hull's players look dejected after conceding in their 3-0 defeat at Tottenham
Image: Hull are in the bottom three on goal difference

Next up for the Tigers are Premier League leaders Chelsea live on Nissan Super Sunday, and Silva has urged the fans to get behind the team in the second half of the season.

"It is important that [the fans] start to believe more in our team and because with their support, we are stronger," Silva said. "When we are at home, we are stronger if they come and support us like they did in the last game.

"Chelsea have had a fantastic season and they have a very good coach, but we will try to compete and do our best."

Around Sky