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Hull City boss Ruben Selles is certainly feeling confident as his side are set to host Coventry City.
This evening sees Hull City host Coventry City at the MKM Stadium, where the Tigers will want to make the use of their game-in-hand to propel themselves further towards safety in the Championship.
The Championship relegation race took a turn this weekend after Plymouth Argyle beat Sheffield United, whilst Luton Town suffered a shock defeat against Blackburn Rovers, however, a win for Ruben Selles’ side this evening would see them gain a five-point buffer on out-of-form Cardiff City currently occupying 22nd place.
Ahead of the clash, Hull City boss Selles has spoken to the press about how his side are approaching such a difficult clash, as well as the confidence he has in his side, something that could prove to be an issue for Coventry City boss Frank Lampard.
Hull City boss Ruben Selles shows confidence in Tigers defensive improvements ahead of Coventry City clash
Hull City have a turgid home record in the 2024/25 Championship campaign, the worst in the league in fact, however, Tigers boss Selles has plenty of reason for hope against the Sky Blues.
The last time the Tigers conceded more than one in a Championship game was in the reverse fixture against Lampard’s side, and much of that comes from the form of Hull City star man Charlie Hughes.
Hull’s improvement was noted by Selles, who, per Hull Live, said: “We are a different team to the one that went there. We also arrived at the transfer window; we have been modifying things in terms of the style of play and the way that we use different shapes. We have been more consistent in our defensive moments, especially in the last couple of months, and the team has developed in a way that is a very difficult team to beat, and it’s competitive in every game.
“We are more competitive now than we were in that period, and hopefully, we’ll be even more competitive.
“They (the players) have proved that they have adapted well. We have been competitive; we have been in almost every game besides a couple of exceptions, we had the chance to win games consistently. We didn’t take it. It was a question about details, but I think the players have, in training, in the preparation of the games, or in the games, have given one hundred per cent.”
Ruben Selles will still need to fix key Tigers issue to see off Coventry City
Whilst Selles is spot on with Hull City’s defensive shape and their vast improvement at the back, the Tigers boss does still have the glaring concern of his sides’ shortcomings in the final third.
Whilst some concern must be handed to just how unlucky the Tigers have been with injuries this campaign, with star wingers Mohamed Belloumi and Liam Millar missing the large majority of the season due to ACL injuries, the options they have should still be adequate in providimng a potent goal threat, but that hasn’t been the case as of yet.
Joe Gelhardt has shown glimpses of quality, as has Kyle Joseph, but the latter will need an improvement in front of goal, as do several in the Hull ranks, if they are to notch what would be a well-needed victory against Coventry City.