Captain Curtis Davies encouraged his side to rediscover their defensive abilities after a 6-1 drubbing to Bournemouth, though the Tigers will have to do it without left-back Andrew Robertson who suffered a calf strain during the game.

Robertson could be out for six weeks

Scotland international Robertson limped off after 55 minutes and scans show he could be out for six weeks. The industrious full-back joins fellow key defenders Moses Odubajo and Michael Dawson in the treatment room, though the latter did complete 90 minutes for the Under-23 side on Friday evening.

Meanwhile Curtis Davies has recognised Hull's need to improve their marking from set-pieces. He suggested “we conceded four goals from set-pieces on Saturday and that isn’t like us at all. Bournemouth were walking into areas unopposed to put the ball in the back of the net." The central defender believes that “our defensive shape has to be the starting point".

Davies hopes to inspire his troops (photo: Getty Images)
Davies hopes to inspire his troops (photo: Getty Images)

"Embarassing and gutless"

Davies criticised the entire squad after the defeat on Saturday and will hope that his harsh words will formulate an improvement with crucial fixtures coming up in the next few weeks. “It was embarrassing and gutless from us and probably the most upsetting performance I’ve ever been involved in”. 

He did spot an improvement in his side after the break but a lack of match management was blamed for their downfall. “We started the second half better and we had to throw a bit more at them, but we had to manage the game as well. Then they scored their fourth and then we needed to be sensible. We weren’t. We were wide open and we made it easy for them"

Davies completed his examination by claiming Hull to be creators of their own problems. “I can’t say Bournemouth weren’t a good side, but the result was more down to our laziness and not getting to grips with what they were doing".

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