Sunday 22 January 2017 13:34, UK
Could Marco Silva save Hull City from relegation to the Championship? Sunday’s trip to Premier League leaders Chelsea is as difficult as they come but the early signs have been encouraging…
Hull City's appointment of Marco Silva certainly got people talking. A 39-year-old coach who has not managed in the Premier League before will do that. Turning to Sam Allardyce is an acceptable way out of a relegation crisis. For some, this was all a bit too Remi Garde.
And yet, here's the thing. Silva has made a very promising start in anything but promising circumstances. Firstly, there was an FA Cup win over Swansea - a club that received rather less criticism for their perceived correction of course in appointing Paul Clement.
Then came an organised defensive effort in losing 2-0 to Manchester United in the first leg of their EFL Cup semi-final. With injuries continuing to pile up and significant funds unlikely to be forthcoming, Silva still galvanised the group sufficiently to see off Bournemouth.
That 3-1 home win in Silva's first Premier League match in charge means the Portuguese coach has won more points in one game than Allardyce has managed in his first four in charge of Crystal Palace. So much for old, safe hands.
Of course, Hull are still in the relegation zone and remain among the favourites for the drop. But perhaps it is time to reassess Silva's reputation. At the very least, it is worth considering the comments of his own players ahead of the verdicts of those on the outside.
"A lot has changed, a hell of a lot," says midfielder Ryan Mason. "He's only been here a short period of time, but he's working hard on getting his philosophy across, his shape and how he wants to the team to go about games in and an out of possession.
"Training has been very intense and Marco is very hands on. He lets us know exactly how he wants us to play. He has given everyone an extra edge in training." It's the positivity that might be expected of a player brought back into the team, but he is not alone in his conviction.
Curtis Davies adds of Silva: "He's had a big impact and he's come in to put his stamp on things straight away. There hasn't been any sitting back for a couple of weeks to see who does what or who might be best in certain positions.
"He physically moves players around in training to make sure they are in the right places. We had a meeting last week to analyse the cup win against Swansea. It was supposed to be a ten-minute thing but it lasted 35 minutes - he is meticulous in everything."
This tallies with the words of many who have worked with Silva in his career so far. Former Estoril midfielder Carlos Eduardo, for example, believes this quality is crucial to his success. "It's because of the details," he told A Bola. "He studies every detail."
The signs are that it is already having an influence. Hull were full of energy in the win over Bournemouth - combative, purposeful and on the front foot. They ran 117.61 kilometres, a high for the season, and also made more interceptions than in any game under Mike Phelan.
There can be few clues in team selection given that this currently requires a roll call rather than a tactics board. But Silva has worked hard to tighten up at set-pieces and young winger Josh Tymon has been struck by this "very tactical" approach. Tellingly, everyone is listening.
It's an indication that what others might view as a lost cause is not being seen that way by the players. That's crucial given the task ahead but also typical of Silva's attitude. After all, he guided Estoril through an extremely difficult period and took them all the way to Europe.
Carlitos was in Silva's promotion-winning side in 2012 and has explained his approach. "It's hard to find someone who faces problems as head-on as he does," he told Record. "He is the best friend of the players and gives everything to defend the stability of the group."
That's the sort of siege mentality that could be required in the coming weeks and months. The sort of siege mentality that leads Carlos Eduardo to evoke the M word. "He can reach Jose Mourinho level in a top club." The immediate issue is that Hull are not a top club.
The forthcoming fixtures are far from kind. The next four Premier League games are against Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool. But there are opportunities after that. Burnley, Swansea, Middlesbrough, Watford and Sunderland all have to go to the KCOM Stadium.
The challenge is to keep the team together until then. To maintain belief in the face of adversity. Nobody can say for sure that Marco Silva will be able to do that at Hull City. But the early evidence suggests it is far too soon to write him off.
