Acun Ilicali sent clear Tim Walter advice after Hull City 'rumblings'

Former England international Carlton Palmer has urged Hull City to give Tim Walter time to adapt to life at the MKM Stadium and in the Championship.

Walter has found himself under heavy scrutiny in the opening weeks of the season having found the going tough, but last Friday night's impressive 3-1 win at Stoke City has lifted the mood around the club, their first success in almost 150 days.

The Tigers came from behind in the Potteries to score their first victory under the charismatic German boss and now face managerless Cardiff City in front of a packed MKM Stadium this weekend, as they go in search of their first home win since early April.

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Already three managers have lost their jobs in the early weeks of the campaign as the pressure on clubs to challenge for a place in the Premier League intensifies. And Palmer says given the amount of change at the MKM Stadium over the summer, Walter should be afforded time to try and make his mark.

“I always say be careful what you wish for. If you look at Hull, they narrowly missed out on a play-off place last season and I thought Liam Rosenior had done a fantastic job," Palmer told FLW. "They were playing good football and were progressing, but then made the decision to change the manager. What is the expectation?

“If the expectation is for Tim Walter to get Hull City into the play-offs, I think time has to be key, patience, give him 20 games and let's see where we are. He’s only five points off a play-off place. This is a very strong league, it’s as strong as it was last season.

“I fully expect that some of the clubs that are not featuring now are going to be close to the play-off situation, the likes of Middlesbrough, Norwich and Luton Town.

“Then you’ve got the likes of Leeds, Sheffield United, Burnley, Sunderland and West Brom…it’s a very, very strong league. It’s going to be very difficult, and Hull’s chairman (Acun Ilicali) has got to be realistic in where he thinks his team will finish.

“I think it would be an unbelievable season for Hull if they got into the play-offs this season. I don’t see that happening, but a top-half finish would be good given the players that left in the summer. You have to be realistic. Getting rid of Rosenior, it could be a step backwards. We will have to wait and see.

“There are rumblings coming out of Hull already, but I think he should be given 15-20 games and let's see where they are at that point. It is going to be a big ask for them to get into the play-offs.”