Hull City must get back-to-basics as Acun Ilicali sent new manager message

Hull City need a manager capable of making the Tigers tough to beat, and doing the simple things well, according to ex-midfielder Ray Parlour, who has joined the growing clamour to see Mark Robins take over at the MKM Stadium.

The Tigers sacked Tim Walter last week after a fourth straight defeat left them third bottom of the table in the midst of a nine-game winless run, as the German tried, and failed, to implement a convoluted style of play.

One of City's key issues under Walter was their inability to keep clean sheets, just one in the opening 17 games, and tightening up one of the Championship's leakiest defence will be paramount to moving the Tigers away from danger.

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Robins is a manager City are considering in their bid to replace the German, following his surprise sacking by Coventry City last month, with the Sky Blues going on to appoint Frank Lampard. And Parlour says the ex-Manchester United striker, who famously kept Alex Ferguson in his job at the beginning of his Old Trafford tenure, would be a good fit, if City could tempt him back into work.

"If Mark Robins wants to jump straight back in then yes, he can definitely help Hull City stay in the League," the former Tigers midfielder said when asked if Robins would be a good appointment. "This is the number one priority for them right now. They need to get back to basics and have everyone rooting in the same direction. They are struggling and do need to get someone in who knows the league and Robins has those credentials in waves."