Hull City goalkeeper Steve Harper believes Mike Phelan has had a positive influence on the club.

The former Manchester United first-team coach was brought in by Tigers boss Steve Bruce recently and despite some negative results of late, Harper feels there is an upside to the performances.

Veteran gloveman Harper is well aware of the predicament 17th-placed Hull find themselves in but feels with the help of Phelan, the right results can be achieved.

"Everybody else's results are irrelevant if we do not start winning football matches," Harper said in the wake of Saturday's 2-0 loss at Southampton.

"Work has been put in on the training ground, so credit to the gaffer, Mike and the staff. We went back to a four (in defence) which gave us a better attacking threat.

"The training has been good and since Mike has come in, the tempo has gone up and been good. Ultimately, it is a Saturday afternoon when we need to go out there and do it.

"When we play in two weeks' time we may well be in the bottom three and that is when it really is now or never.

"There are some long days and a lot of hard work. We just need to start taking the chances that we created."