Lucky break hands Hull City boss Tim Walter big selection warning

For much of the first half at Stoke City, Hull City huffed and puffed without ever really looking like scoring against the Potters, once again failing to hit the target.

They found themselves a goal behind to Ben Wilmot's powerful header and it felt like another Championship game and another ending in disappointment, before a huge change which swung the contest in City's favour.

Owing to an injury, and not a tactical tweak, Abdus Omur was withdrawn at the interval with Liam Millar coming on in his place and Walter, speaking afterwards, admitted it was a lucky change but one that proved pivotal. Millar was instrumental in masterminding a major turnaround in fortunes, setting up the second for Regan Slater.

READ MORE: 'Fuming' - Regan Slater's fiery response to being dropped before Stoke City winner

"It was a bit of luck as well because if I don't have to change at half-time with Abdus - he was unfortunately injured - but sometimes it is like it is, you have to accept it because that's football and today, it's not only about luck, it's also about the performance and I'm happy but we have to keep going," Walter said.

Bringing on Millar sparked a big change in the game with City surging forward at will down his side, while Mohamed Belloumi remained a threat on the right, winning the penalty which enabled the visitors to haul themselves level.

Omur has found the going tough so far, arguably not helped by the fact he's been playing out of position for much of the season, but having his hand forced inadvertently worked to Walter's advantage.

Another key change Walter made was just before the hour mark when he sent on Regan Slater for the ineffective Marvin Mehlem, and Xavier Simons replaced the injured Oscar Zambrano.

Slater, who admitted to Hull Live he was 'fuming' about being dropped for the game, responded brilliantly by thumping in the second goal and catching the eye with his dynamic display providing far more energy - and quality - than Mehlem, who has appeared to struggle to adapt to the challenge of the Championship, albeit early in his Tigers career.

Another key tactical tweak Walter seemingly made, was asking his defenders to be a little more conservative and Zambrano to hold his position in the number six role, therefore giving City more control and not allowing themselves to be quite so open as we've seen so far this season, while Cody Drameh's inclusion on the left side of defence afforded much more protection and defensive discipline than we've seen either with Ryan Giles or Matty Jacob.

That solid base, especially in the second half gave them a platform to go on and create and ultimately win the game, something we just have not seen before that point.

Few could argue that City looked like a more rounded, solid Championship outfit with Palmer, Millar and Slater all in the side, along with Drameh, and that should be the way Walter looks to operate moving forward, especially as he looks to earn a first home win against managerless Cardiff City on Saturday and back up that triumph in the Potteries.