Hull City captain Curtis Davies has suggested that his side are paying for their pre-season problems during their current spell of poor form.

A lack of transfer activity during the summer window led to manager Steve Bruce resigning just three weeks before the start of the season, leaving Mike Phelan in charge.

After winning their opening two matches Hull have now emerged victorious in just one of their last 12 following Monday night's 1-0 loss to Middlesbrough.

"We made signings in the window and they have come in and done their bit but because they were all left until the last minute I don't believe the manager had enough time to explore all his options," he told the club's official website.

"Our first shot on target was in the 92nd minute which is not good enough. It's hard but we have to deal with it, we have to keep going and we have a big game against Crystal Palace at the weekend."

The defeat leaves Hull 19th in the Premier League table, just two points off bottom-placed Swansea City.