The Tigers go in search of their first MKM Stadium success since April 13 under the Friday night lights
Alfie Jones says Hull City’s players are not yet feeling the pressure of their winless start to the season but has stressed the importance of beating Sheffield United on Friday night.
City under the stewardship of Tim Walter had drawn their opening three games against Bristol City, Plymouth Argyle and Millwall before going to Leeds United and losing 2-0 before the international break.
The Tigers didn’t win a game in pre-season and that winless run also includes a Carabao Cup exit at the hands of Sheffield Wednesday meaning it’s now 11 games without victory, while City fans haven’t seen their side win anywhere since late April, so Jones understands the sense of frustration felt both in the dressing room and on the terraces.
Friday night’s visit of the Blades provides City with their biggest test yet at the MKM Stadium, but also a big opportunity to gain some momentum under Walter ahead of four more games before the next break, particularly given the added sense of calm following a manic end to the transfer window.
“Not at the moment,” Jones said when asked if the players were feeling the pressure. “Not necessarily. Obviously, it is frustrating times, everyone wants to win in football and you want to win every game. I think for the fans as well, they want to see a win. We know it’s a tough league, but we need to get that first win underway. Obviously, the longer it goes on, hopefully, it doesn’t, the more frustrated people become, the more frustrated players become.
“We need to keep that togetherness as a squad, as a team and as a club as well as a fan base. We need the fans, and we need them on side, they were unbelievable (at Elland Road), the noise.
“Once you get that first win, that snowball effect and keeps the ball rolling and that’s the hardest thing in football. Like I said, once we get that first win, we need that first win to have that snowball effect and build momentum.
“In pre-season, there’s been a lot of change. You want to win every game you play but especially in the season, you want to get that first win under your belt and obviously we haven’t got that yet, so it is frustrating. I feel like the break came at the perfect time. Now we know our squad. They’re the games you want to play in. Friday night under the lights, local derbies and we need to get a win in that game.”
The defeat at Elland Road also saw Walter start with big striker Chris Bedia, and Jones admits he’s been impressed with the early signs from the Ivory Coast forward.
“He’s difficult to play against,” Jones continued. “I think he created chances from that with his pressing, winning balls back, he’s a strong boy. The longer balls into him, he dealt with them well and he created a lot of opportunities from that, so hopefully he gets a run of games, and he can build his confidence up. Once he gets that first goal as well, he can kick on from that, but he’s a difficult player to play against and he does bring quality to the team.”
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