Tigers aim to build on solid foundation

The Tigers have laid down a decent foundation in the first quarter of the campaign by taking 19 points from their first dozen games.

Tuesday’s disappointing defeat at Middlesbrough means Hull travel to Bristol City today sitting a point outside the play-off places.

Agnew feels that Hull have already shown the quality required to remain firmly in the promotion hunt but he is also demanding more.

He said: “You should never accept inconsistency and I certainly feel we should have more points on board.

“We have played well in games and lost, and we just need to find that consistency in results.

“We are not alone saying that but all we can concentrate on is improving as a side and coaching the players in the right way.

“We will always encourage the side to play and pass the ball, and keep playing with an intensity.

“I firmly believe, even though we have scored a lot of goals this season, that we’re capable of more.

“It takes time to gel. We have seen signs of it happening and I am sure the supporters will have enjoyed some of our performances.

“There are still areas to improve but once we start to get that trust between the players and they gel, that is when you will find that consistency. We are a decent side but the best is yet to come.”

Manager Steve Bruce is considering changes following the disappointing manner of his side’s display at the Riverside.

Jay Simpson and Sone Aluke could return in place of Aaron Mclean and Nick Proschwitz, who, despite the confidence boost of netting twice against Ipswich Town a week ago, struggled to make any meaningful impact against Boro.

Agnew added: “In the final third of the pitch, we never really created many chances and that is the one thing we have not lacked this season.

“We didn’t reach that at Middlesbrough so we need to get back to what we are very good at. Do we change it? We will have a look at it.

“A lot of it will depend on the game and how we can look to exploit Bristol City as a team.”

Goalscoring has not been a problem for Hull this season with their dozen games having seen Bruce’s side find the net 18 times – a record that contrasts well with last season’s 47 from 46 league games.

Agnew added: “When we came in we tried to assess how we were going to compete at the top end of the division.

“The obvious answer to that was to score more goals. Have we conceded more for being more offensive? Yes, we probably have.

“But you have got to adjust your team to be positive. You take risks when you go forward.

“We will continue to try and find the right balance in scoring more goals and keeping clean sheets.”