Hull City and Middlesbrough braced for fight to avoid drop

AHEAD of a week that could prove pivotal in deciding the relegation fate of Yorkshire's two Premier League representatives, Marco Silva insists Hull City have improved as a team since Robert Snodgrass was sold to fund a January overhaul of the squad.

The Tigers host West Ham United today and then Middlesbrough on Wednesday before rounding off a key eight days with a trip to Manchester City.

Boro, meanwhile, travel to Swansea City tomorrow and then host Burnley either side of that all White Rose clash at the KCOM Stadium.

There is an argument to suggest Hull must win both home assignments, while the Teessiders – whose schedule takes on a daunting look once the visit of the Clarets is out of the way – need a minimum seven points if hopes of avoiding the drop are to remain realistic.

Much will depend on how their rivals fare, of course, but with both clubs being more than one victory from getting out of the dropzone, time is clearly of the essence if an instant return to the Championship is to be avoided.

Today, therefore, means City must stop Snodgrass, still the club’s top scorer with nine goals despite leaving for West Ham in a £10.2m deal more than two months ago. “It was not an easy decision for the club,” said the Portuguese about the departure of the Scot. “We tried to keep our best players but that wasn’t easy because the player wanted to leave.

“Snodgrass wanted to leave. He did good things for this club but he wanted to find a new goal for his career. You respect that. But I want our focus and the focus of our supporters to be on our team.”

The departure of Snodgrass and Jake Livermore to West Brom for a combined £20.2m allowed Silva to bring in seven new faces during the January window.

He added: “It is true (results have been better since January). No-one wins alone. Of course, if you have good players with good skills in all the positions then it is better.

“When you then put good organisation in the squad, it is better for any coach. But no-one wins alone.

“We lost our best scorer and up until he left he did very good work for the club. But after he has left, I have tried to find the best solutions for the squad.