Ray Parlour tells Hull City how they can pip Norwich City or West Brom to play-off spot | OneFootball

Despite returning to winning ways on Saturday afternoon, Hull City's play-off hopes continue to hang by a thread.

The 3-0 victory against Queens Park Rangers at the MKM Stadium on Saturday afternoon was a prime example of what Liam Rosenior's side are capable of when being clinical and ruthless alongside the possession-heavy philosophy everyone has become accustomed to.

After dropping points against Middlesbrough on Wednesday night, a win was needed to maintain a belief that the top-six isn't beyond reach, although that argument may be questionable as a result of Gabriel Sara's late winner for Norwich City at Preston North End - a result which means the gap between sixth and seventh currently stands at six points.

However, there is a chance the gap can be narrowed down, as the Tigers do have a game in hand over David Wagner's outfit, which comes away to Coventry City on April 24th.

Ray Parlour issues verdict on Hull City's play-off chances

One man who has issued their verdict on whether Hull are still able to gatecrash the top six with limited time remaining is Ray Parlour, who featured 15 times for the club whilst on loan from Middlesbrough in 2007.

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, via NetBet Online Betting“It looks tough now given West Brom and Norwich have opened up a gap between themselves and Hull City.

“For me, Hull City will have to win their last four games to give themselves a chance to get 5th or 6th place. With Coventry and Ipswich to come, it will be tough to secure 6pts in both of these.

“Watford away is never easy too, but a 3-0 home win over QPR will give Hull City confidence to go and get three points," the 51-year-old added.

“If Hull City can be in with a chance come the final game, then Plymouth away is not a bad place to go to have to win," he concluded.

As previously mentioned, the 3-0 win on Saturday was arguably the most complete performance put in by Hull in a number of weeks, as well as recording a first clean sheet in seven games.

On top of being in control, there was a real buzz felt inside the MKM Stadium for large parts of the encounter due to its importance, and the players more than stepped up, with all three goals oozing quality - none more so than Ozan Tufan's early opener.

Liam Rosenior has always maintained a belief that his side could end the season playing their part in the play-offs, and with four games to go, his sentiment was echoed further.

"The last two games have been magnificent. From when Acun first bought the football club to when I joined to how the football club feels now, it's been a really great ride. We want to finish the season as strongly as possible, we still believe. We still believe we can make that top six and if we keep performing like that there's no reason why not," the City head coach said via Hull Live.

Hull City's play-off chances

If truth be told, the likelihood that Hull reach the play-offs at present is hanging on by the dearest of threads, especially with Norwich having two home fixtures coming up against Bristol City and Swansea City - games the Canaries would be expected to win as a result of having the third-best home record in the Championship.

However, Hull can only control their own encounters at this point, but they only accumulated two points from 12 available against the four sides they have left to play earlier on in the campaign, with both coming in 1-1 home draws against Coventry and Plymouth.

The 3-0 win on Saturday will no doubt boost confidence of narrowing the gap should Norwich slip up, as well as the hope that the Sky Blues may be jaded from their upcoming FA Cup semi-final against Manchester United when Hull travel to the CBS Arena next Wednesday.

Then there is the possibility of a game that bears huge ramifications for both sides when Ipswich Town travel to the MKM Stadium on April 27th, as Kieran McKenna's side look to make their own return to the Premier League, before the final day showdown at Home Park.

These play-off hopes are extremely slim as Hull may need to accumulate all 12 points up for grabs to make the play-offs, but stranger things have happened.