Hull City: Tim Walter facing West Brom reality after supporters send Acun Ilicali message | OneFootball

The upcoming clash could prove pivotal for the Tigers boss

In modern football, patience is so often a buzzword associated with new managers.

The opportunity to blend their ideologies into a squad which has overseen a mass overhaul from the previous regime is so often vital, and can eventually lay the foundations for success.

However, just three months into Tim Walter's tenure as the latest head coach of Hull City, the German has already come under immense pressure, particularly from the Tigers supporters, after a run of six games without a victory, which reached boiling point after Tuesday night's 1-0 defeat to Oxford United at the Kassam Stadium.

Therefore, despite reports from local publications stating that Walter still has Acun Ilicali's full support ahead of the upcoming encounter with West Bromwich Albion on Sunday afternoon, the message sent to the Turkish owner and German boss in midweek sets up what could be an intriguing atmosphere in HU3 during the game, as well as the mood if Carlos Corberan's side are to pile on the misery.

Ilicali's appointment of Walter has been analysed heavily as a result of his decision to replace Liam Rosenior - who is still adored by a fair number of supporters despite his May dismissal - with the German, who was embarking on his first taste of English football.

Of course, examples such as Daniel Farke and David Wagner in the last decade gave plenty of reason for Hull fans to be optimistic, especially when Walter's style of play was branded 'Heart-Attack Football' by Henrik Jacobs, who reports on Walter's previous employers, Hamburg SV.

But, after 14 games, only on three occasions have City emerged victorious and showcased their attacking strengths under the German, with defensive frailties often overshadowing such work, even in a 3-1 success over Queens Park Rangers in early October.

The concession of 70 opportunities in four successive games had showcased the flaws within Walter's system, in which central defenders are asked to progress into advanced areas, and City's midfield had also been left exposed as a result.

And, whilst Hull had become more defensively astute against Burnley in particular, recent games have seen a lack of cutting edge return, as well as turgid displays overall, which was evident in the last two outings against Portsmouth and Oxford, during which only five shots on target were recorded.

The league's bottom side would have even felt slightly disappointed to have not turned the game on it's head after Josh Murphy's 46th-minute equaliser, creating an array of chances to take advantage of the Tigers' lacklustre second period, with Kusini Yengi and Callum Lang going close.

Unsurprisingly, a chorus of boos at full-time and comments surrounding those post-match hardly did the German any favours, and ramped up the pressure ahead of the midweek clash.

Typically, Mohamed Belloumi was the one outlet looking to make things happen for the East Yorkshire side at the Kassam, who were eventually punished for their lack of ruthlessness and structure through Hidde ter Avest's 55th-minute strike.

That was then the turning point for the 900-strong away support, with chants of "are we loud enough for you" - in reference to a previous post-match interview - as well as remarks of "We Want Walter Out".

Therefore, with just one game to go ahead of the November international break, Walter will be hit with further reality when it comes to those stances if a positive result doesn't come against the Baggies.

West Brom encounter is pivotal for Tim Walter

It has been reported that Walter will be in the dugout for the upcoming encounter, despite the calls on social media and in the stands for a sudden change at the MKM.

And, having been outsmarted by the likes of Farke and Chris Wilder already this season - who boast sides expected to be challenging at the top end of the table - Walter couldn't have asked for a tougher upcoming test than facing off against Corberan, who has earned a reputation as being one of the most tactically astute managers in the division.

On the flipside, West Brom's recent dip in form could provide a lifeline for the 48-year-old, with Albion winless in their last three away games too.

However, they do possess a core of established Championship performers and Josh Maja up front, who returned to the scoresheet against Luton Town last week after an initially blistering start to the season.

Yes, there are factors that have gone against the City boss, including the season-ending injuries to Liam Millar and most recently, Belloumi, but it does seem that his future at the MKM could hinge on the next 90 minutes of football, having gone on a second winless run in just three months.