Mimms to encourage goalkeeping competition at Hull

New Hull goalkeeping coach Bobby Mimms is confident he can help plug up a leaky back-line by teasing the best out of his new charges.

Mike Phelan was appointed Hull manager last month but the challenge of keeping them in the Premier League got trickier after a coaching exodus at the KCOM Stadium.

Former assistant coach Stephen Clemence has rejoined forces with Steve Bruce at Aston Villa while Mimms’ predecessor, Gary Walsh, quickly followed suit.

But Phelan – who appointed former Blackpool manager Neil McDonald as his No.2 last month – has now replenished his ranks.

 (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

And Mimms believes keepers Eldin Jakupovic, current first-choice David Marshall, a fit-again Allan McGregor and Dusan Kuciak can improve on a record that has seen Hull concede 24 goals through their first 11 Premier League games.

“They’re all seniors so they have their own battles for that first-team spot, and that’s what the club needs,” said the former Blackburn Rovers goalkeeper. “You always need that competition, it’s healthy no matter what position but a goalkeeping group tend to work together really well and there’s a good friendly rivalry between them.

“Hopefully that brings the best out of them and they do learn from each other as well, they seem an open group.

“Mike (Phelan) has got a very good pedigree coaching wise, you don’t stay at Man United all those years if you don’t know what you’re doing.

“I’m looking forward to working with him and seeing how it all works, he has good ideas after sitting down to a chat with him so it should be interesting times ahead.”