Tigers can go into New Year with confidence, says boss Phelan

Hull City will go into the New Year confident of Premier League survival, despite being bottom of the league, according to manager Mike Phelan.

The Tigers have won just once in the league since August and have 12 points from 18 matches – four adrift of safety.

They have also lost their last three games, although they have also reached the semi-finals of the EFL Cup for the first time, and will take on Manchester United for a place at Wembley.

Hull host Everton at the KCOM Stadium on Friday night as they look to end 2016 on a high.

Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images

And manager Phelan said he was “more than pleased” with the efforts of his players, and remained optimistic about their chances of staying in the division.

“As a year, 2016 has been hectic, different and everything I thought it would be,” said Phelan.

“It has been enjoyable but also frustrating. There are moments when you want to crawl away and hide but, in the main, I have been more than pleased with the efforts of this group.

“From where we started to where we are now, they are having a go and that is a pleasing thing. If we are good enough, we will stay up.

“If we are not, then we suffer. But there is still enough to go into the New Year with confidence.”