Mike Phelan is the man to take on '˜mighty challenge' at Hull City, insists Curtis Davies

AN hour or so after Hull City's promotion had been sealed by victory in the first all-Yorkshire Championship play-off final last May, Steve Bruce was holding court deep in the bowels of Wembley.
IN THE FRAME: Hull City caretaker manager Mike Phelan ponders his next move against the champions. Picture: Nigel FrenchIN THE FRAME: Hull City caretaker manager Mike Phelan ponders his next move against the champions. Picture: Nigel French
IN THE FRAME: Hull City caretaker manager Mike Phelan ponders his next move against the champions. Picture: Nigel French

The exhausted-looking Tigers manager was, among many other things, asked about the prospect of being in the opposite dugout to Pep Guardiola in the Premier League once the new season came around.

“I would have loved to have been given the chance to manage the clubs he has managed,” replied Bruce with a smile. “Instead of going to war with a pop gun like I have to!”

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Well, 78 days on from the victory over Sheffield Wednesday that booked City’s return to the top table of English football, the club Bruce left behind in July seemed to be taking on the champions with even less armoury than their former manager had joked about in May.

Mike Phelan, only told the previous Monday that he would be in charge for the visit of champions Leicester City, had just 13 fit players to select from and a bench that included five youngsters without a league appearance between them. More like heading into battle with a catapult and a couple of ball-bearings than even Bruce’s pop gun.

But, from such inauspicious beginnings came one of the more remarkable victories of this or any other season as Leicester became the first side to start the defence of their crown with a defeat since George Graham’s Arsenal in 1989.

Phelan’s tactical nous played a big part in Hull’s stunning triumph, as did a siege mentality among the players that has merely grown stronger the more adversity that has been thrown their way this summer.

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Curtis Davies, handed the captain’s armband in the absence of the injured Michael Dawson, was one of 11 heroes in amber and black, and it was fitting that the defender should lead the post-match huddle on the pitch as the home fans celebrated in the stands.

“It has been difficult in terms of not knowing the next step,” said the 31-year-old.

“But, as individuals, we have always believed in our own ability. It has just been a question of whether we can get a few more (signings) to help us out.

“The togetherness of the lads, you have seen it for years. We have always been a close group and this adversity has brought us closer. After the game, when we were all in a huddle, it was letting out a bit of frustration over what has gone on behind the scenes.

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“We had all been working hard through pre-season and this is where it started. There was no point doing all the hard work and then having a sulk because we haven’t got any players. We were together and stayed together.”

Davies epitomised that work ethic as well as anyone during eight warm-up games that saw Bruce take charge of the first three and then Phelan the rest. Due to a lack of bodies caused by both the absenc of any signings and a crippling injury list, the defender played 630 minutes.

Hardly an ideal scenario at a time when footballers are more used to building up fitness gradually but Davies was far from being alone by putting in the hard yards with Sam Clucas (625 minutes), Ahmed Elmohamady (577), Robert Snodgrass (497) and Andrew Robertson (495) all given little respite.

For Phelan to somehow cajole the performance he did out of his charges and devise a game-plan that negated Leicester’s attacking pace was to his credit. It also underlined why the players feel the former Manchester United midfielder should be given a chance on a permanent basis.

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“I would like to see him get the job,” said Davies. “The way he has worked with us, spoken with us and the way he has conducted himself has been great. He has also made it clear he wants the job. Most people err on the side of caution in case they don’t get it but he wants to be a manager and we want someone to lead us.

“It is easy to duck the job but he wants to take on this mighty challenge. We need someone like that. He wants us to play football and to have a go.

“Before we might have been the team that soaked up pressure after going in front but Mike wants us to play football. We are here to give teams a game this season.”