Huddlestone looking for Hull to create history once again
A change of coach at the KCOM Stadium has brought about a renewed confidence among the club’s players. Richard Sutcliffe reports.
MARCO SILVA’S reign does not quite stretch to three weeks, but Tom Huddlestone believes every Hull City player has already fully bought into the ideas of the Portuguese.
The 39-year-old was an unknown quantity to the Tigers’ squad when named as Mike Phelan’s successor earlier this month.
Thanks to the internet, most were soon furnished with the details of Silva’s CV within minutes of the surprise appointment, but it is work done since then on the training ground that has really turned Huddlestone and his team-mates into big believers.
“The new manager has come in and stamped his authority on things,” said the former England international to The Yorkshire Post.
“We go into games knowing exactly what he wants from each and every one of us.
“Everyone is buying into his ideas.
“The manager has been good. He is fair, he is honest, he doesn’t rant or rave after matches. He goes away and watches the game again, then we will have a debrief and a meeting during the week.
“I think he is excellent, to be fair. He goes through everything and, on the pitch, we all know what our roles and responsibilities are with and without the ball. It is the same in terms of where we all are on each part of the pitch.
“Although we lost (on Sunday), I think our performance against Chelsea showed we are not just there to make up the numbers when playing the big clubs. We are here to try and get something out of the game.”
Hull’s defeat at Stamford Bridge was the second defeat of Silva’s fledgling tenure. His first, by the same scoreline against another of the big guns in Manchester United a little over a fortnight ago, means the Tigers are rank outsiders to progress to the League Cup final in tomorrow night’s return against Jose Mourinho’s men.
Despite that, back-to-back wins over Swansea City and Bournemouth in Silva’s two home games as head coach mean Hull will approach the second leg with hopes of causing an upset.
“It will be difficult,” added Huddlestone, “but if we can get ahead and go into the last 10-15 minutes then all the pressure will be on them.
“They could get a bit nervy because they are expected to coast through to the final.
“One goal can change a cup tie. Two-nil isn’t a secure lead even in a 90-minute match. Over two legs, it is still all to play for.”
Underlining the size of Hull’s task at the KCOM tomorrow is the fact only one side has overcome a two-goal first-leg deficit to reach the League Cup final.
Aston Villa hold that honour after edging out Tranmere Rovers on penalties in 1994 despite losing the first leg at Prenton Park 3-1.
“We have made history quite a few times at Hull in recent years,” added Huddlestone, who has represented the Tigers at Wembley three times since moving north in 2013. “Hopefully, we can do it again on Thursday night.”
The loss at Stamford Bridge was Hull’s ninth in a row on the road, but Huddlestone believes there were plenty of positives to take from the game.
“I felt we were really in the game,” he added. “(Thibaut) Courtois had to make a few decent saves.”
Hull yesterday confirmed Ryan Mason continues to make “excellent progress” after sustaining a fractured skull against Chelsea.