Fulham v Hull City: Patience required as Slutsky looks to find right solutions for Tigers

AFTER a night as chastening as last Friday, Hull City could be forgiven for looking at tonight's assignment in the capital with some trepidation.
Hull City boss Leonid Slutsky.Hull City boss Leonid Slutsky.
Hull City boss Leonid Slutsky.

Fulham, joint favourites for promotion alongside Aston Villa before a ball was kicked in anger this season, may have had a slow start but there is no doubting the attacking armoury at Slavisa Jokanovic’s disposal.

The Londoners were the joint top scorers in last season’s Championship, meaning a defence that was cut open almost at will in the 5-0 hammering at Derby County will have to be on its guard.

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Slutsky’s task since that embarrassing loss has been to lift spirits and instil some pride back in a group of players who left the field at Pride Park shell-shocked.

Hull City's Sebastian Larsson reacts after missing a penalty at Derby. Picture: David Davies/PAHull City's Sebastian Larsson reacts after missing a penalty at Derby. Picture: David Davies/PA
Hull City's Sebastian Larsson reacts after missing a penalty at Derby. Picture: David Davies/PA

“It was very difficult to explain my emotions on Friday night,” said the Hull head coach ahead of taking on a Fulham side who have lost just one and drawn four of their half dozen league games this season. “No-one believes in our team but I must change that situation.

“If I am speaking only about problems, that is not a good position. I must solve our problems.

“My target now is to change this situation. We need patience but we don’t have too much time. We have to bounce back in our next match.”

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Hull were beaten 4-1 at Craven Cottage in the FA Cup last season but tonight’s likely XI will be very different to the one fielded by Marco Silva with only Evandro and David Meyler of the 14 players on duty that January afternoon still at the club.

Hull City's Sebastian Larsson reacts after missing a penalty at Derby. Picture: David Davies/PAHull City's Sebastian Larsson reacts after missing a penalty at Derby. Picture: David Davies/PA
Hull City's Sebastian Larsson reacts after missing a penalty at Derby. Picture: David Davies/PA

Jon Toral is one of those who arrived during the summer window to replace the host of big name departures and he admits there must be a response to that sorry loss at Derby in what was his full debut for the Tigers.

“It was a bad result on Friday,” he said. “We need to react quickly in the Fulham game. We need to be ready to put it right.

“Our heads went down after the penalty (missed by Seb Larsson at 1-0). We have to react better and keep ourselves in the game.

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“The team and staff have been fantastic with me and I am very grateful for that. I am looking forward to putting the Derby game aside and kicking on. We have to look to Fulham and be ready.”

Evandro and Fraizer Campbell will be assessed after recovering from injury as Hull look to claim a first away win in the league this season at the fourth attempt.

Last six games: Fulham DDLLWD, Hull City WLLLWL.

Referee: T Robinson (West Sussex).

Last time: Fulham 4 Hull City 1; January 29, 2017; FA Cup.