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Opinion

Ruben Selles must change the position of ‘exciting’ Hull City star vs Swansea, it could be a game-changer

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Hull City fans face an anxious final four games in the Championship that will decide whether they remain in the division or drop into League One.

On Monday night, Hull City drew 1-1 against Coventry City as Abu Kamara’s late equaliser salvaged a draw for the Tigers and moved them three points clear of the relegation zone.

Position Team Played MP Won W Drawn D Lost L For GF Against GA Diff GD Points Pts
18 Stoke CityStoke City42 11 14 17 43 54 -11 47
19 PortsmouthPortsmouth42 12 10 20 50 66 -16 46
20 Hull CityHull City42 11 12 19 41 50 -9 45
21 DerbyDerby42 11 10 21 44 54 -10 43

Ruben Selles highlighted where Hull needed to improve after the game, as the hosts conceded moments after half-time and were fortunate that some Ivan Pandur heroics kept them in the match.

For every side at the bottom, it’s reached the moment in the campaign where the result is far more important than the performance, with the Championship relegation battle set for a fascinating finale.

Hull travel to Swansea City on Good Friday, and Selles will want his side to build on their draw against Coventry, with one tactical change holding the key to a positive afternoon.

Sheffield Wednesday FC v Hull City AFC - Sky Bet Championship
Photo by George Wood/Getty Images

Ruben Selles must move Joe Gelhardt back into the number 10 role

In the January transfer window, Hull used the loan market to prise forward Joe Gelhardt to the MKM Stadium from Leeds United.

The 22-year-old was low down the pecking order at Elland Road, with Daniel Farke preferring the likes of Joel Piroe, Mateo Joseph and even Patrick Bamford in those central attacking areas.

Gelhardt has been dubbed ‘exciting’ by pundit Ali Maxwell since moving to East Yorkshire, and the Englishman has enjoyed an impactful loan spell.

Although he’s only scored three goals in 16 appearances for Hull, the Liverpool-born forward has impressed supporters with his relentless energy, pressing and technical qualities.

Joe Gelhardt’s statistics vs Coventry City
90 minutes played
57 touches
22/28 accurate passes (79%)
1 key pass
5 successful dribbles
9 ground duels won

In recent matches, Selles has preferred to use Gelhardt as a winger when his attributes are better used as an attacking midfielder who can float in behind the striker.

Gelhardt possesses the pace, strength and power to hurt his opponents from central areas and in the draw against Coventry, his involvement was restricted from wide.

So, if the Hull boss wants to get the best out of the Leeds loanee, he should move him into the number 10 role against Swansea and start Abu Kamara out wide.

Abu Kamara deserves to start against Swansea City

Kamara replaced Kasey Palmer for the final half an hour against the Sky Blues, taking his spot down the right wing.

The 21-year-old continues to grow in confidence and his smart finish past Bradley Collins showcased his calmness in front of goal.

In a short space of time, the young winger made the desired impact and he now arguably deserves to start against Swansea on Friday.

A change in attacking personnel should see Palmer drop out of the starting lineup, moving Kamara to the right, Gelhardt centrally and Lincoln to the left as the trio in behind Joao Pedro.

That blend of pace, agility and skill gives Hull every chance of beating Swansea and moving a step closer to clinching survival.