Phelan took over as a caretaker after Steve Bruce left on the eve of the season, and got the job permanently thanks to wins in Hull's first two Premier League games.

But the club have slid into relegation trouble and have taken just one win and seven points from their last 18 games.

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Phelan, whose side have not kept a clean sheet all season, can consider himself unlucky having never been given a genuine opportunity to improve arguably the Premier League's weakest squad.

He was critical of his side's defending after Monday's 3-1 defeat to West Bromwich Albion.

Phelan said: “We didn't do the basics by attacking the ball at set-pieces. They really are basic things. We give free headers and suffer two set-piece goals against a team which is good at set pieces.

“We have to be more courageous and braver and sometimes take a knock. You can't just be a pretty boy, you have to get your body or something on it."

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