Hull City boss Mike Phelan is adamant the recent change of formation will come good
Thursday 29 December 2016 14:48, UK
Hull City boss Mike Phelan is adamant the players will have to become comfortable with the formation he has implemented in recent weeks.
The Tigers switched to a 3-5-2 system which produced a draw against Crystal Palace on December 10, but they have since lost three games on the spin and dropped to the foot of the Premier League table.
Phelan's side face seventh-place Everton on Friday - live on Sky Sports 1 HD - and the Hull manager is confident the change will bear fruit in the long run.
"It's not an impossible mission, we'll keep going," Phelan said.
"We are up for the challenge ahead and players have bought into the new formation. We need to use it to its best.
"We are pretty open as staff and honest with players at this football club, they understand that we all need to do better when it comes to trying to win the football match.
"I think what they've shown is a great appetite and a great passion for their play in the Premier League. It's difficult for them, but I don't think for once instance they've dropped away from the challenge.
"They are all ready and willing to take it on again in the new year."
The same formation has proved spectacularly successful for leaders Chelsea, who have gone on a 12-game winning streak since switching to it.
Meanwhile, Phelan is hoping he can persuade some unsettled players at other clubs to join his team in January, even if they are on short-term deals.
"The big teams like to wait until summer. The loan market is where disgruntled players can get a move," Phelan said.
"We are certainly looking and it's a big month. We are looking for any options we can bring into this football club.
"The challenge for any player coming in is the position we are in at the moment and if they are courageous enough and they want that challenge to either put their names out to the clubs they are at or they want to show they are better than where they are at then this is the club to come for that challenge."
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