"On the edge" - Pundit drops claim on Tim Walter's Hull City future | OneFootball

The German's future has become a hot topic after recent performances

EFL pundit Adrian Clarke believes Tim Walter's future at Hull City is currently "on the edge" after the Tigers' winless run continued against West Bromwich Albion.

Speaking on the latest episode of the 'What the EFL?' podcast alongside fellow pundit Sam Parkin and host Matt Davies-Adams, the former Arsenal man gave his honest assessment on the recent string of results and performances, which has led to questions being raised over Walter's immediate future at the MKM Stadium.

The German was given the full support of City's Turkish owner, Acun Ilicali, prior to the encounter against the Baggies, in which two quick-fire goals from Karlan Grant and Josh Maja proved decisive, before subsequent reports have stated that Ilicali and the rest of the Hull hierarchy will hold talks over the club's imminent direction over the course of the international break.

Walter's style of play is the one particular facet which has come under scrutiny throughout his short-lived tenure of 15 league games so far, after it was branded 'Heart-Attack Football' by Henrik Jakobs, a reporter on Walter's former side, Hamburg SV.

However, in the small sample size of outings, comparisons between Walter's methodologies and that of former Tigers boss Liam Rosenior, who was sacked in May have so often been drawn up, with Ilicali wanting an uber-attacking approach to matches in HU3.

But, after a winless run which has now stretched to seven games, Clarke believes the writing could soon well be on the wall for Walter.

"He's got to be on the edge (of getting sacked) hasn't he? Tim Walter," the pundit began. "He came in with the brief of producing more entertaining football, and they're not scoring that many goals. They certainly aren't keeping clean sheets - they got one against Millwall early on in the season and that's it."

"When I've watched them, they've looked too open without the ball," Clarke stated. "They're quite good and creative at times. When they've got all their players fit, they can make things happen going forward. But, when they lose the ball, it's too easy to go through Hull City in my opinion."

"Obviously, they've got a slightly crazy high line where the centre-back joins in midfield. It is vulnerable, and they're getting found out."

Adrian Clarke pinpoints Hull City's "massive issue"

As well as the lack of form on the pitch, Clarke pinpointed the numerous injury problems which have hampered Walter in the early weeks of the campaign, albeit not wanting to use it as an excuse.

Both Liam Millar and Mohamed Belloumi had made significant impressions in the opening months of their respective Hull careers, but are now unavailable for the remainder of the season due to significant ACL injuries, as well as other fresh faces suffering their own woes.

"What I will say is that they've been plagued by bad injuries," the 50-year-old continued.

"For me, the two best players that I saw going forward for Hull in the matches I've seen are Liam Millar and Mohamed Belloumi, and both are out long-term. That's a massive issue."

"Kamara's unfit, Alzate's unfiit. They've lost a number of key personnel. So, he's (Walter) up against it."

"I like him as a character. He's a bit larger than life. But, they've gone backwards since Rosenior left the club."

"They certainly haven't progressed. And, we know the owner isn't one to mess around."

Hull City are facing up to a season-defining period

The November international break and beyond is now being viewed as a season-defining period for the Tigers, especially with the aforementioned Ilicali under severe pressure to make yet another managerial change, with former Stoke City boss Steven Schumacher pinpointed as an ideal target by supporters.

After stringing together a run of three successive victories in late September and early October, despite looking far-from convincing in patches, Hull have regressed massively, despite the loss of key players to long-term injuries and suspensions in the case of Oscar Zambrano.

Despite chants from supporters being aimed at him and his play-style in a recent 1-0 defeat to Oxford United, it's clear that the German remains optimistic that his side, which has constantly been chopped and changed in the opening three months of the season, can halt the slide after the international break.

"It's more about how we're performing to get to the end result," he said after the West Brom defeat. "And, how we played with that character, given the inexperience compared to West Brom, then it makes me even more proud because I know they will do it (record wins)."

"I'm so convinced that they want it, and that they can show they can beat teams like West Brom, and I know they will do it."

This encouragement will no doubt fuel extra motivation for those on the pitch, but, if Walter is to remain in the dugout for the upcoming trip to Luton Town and an improvement in result and performance doesn't come, then many will continue to ask serious questions.