(Firstly, it feels good to have the spare time to do this again!)
20 games in to the Championship season, and it is fair to say Hull City are certainly exceeding the wildest of our pre-season expectations – not least my own.
The last post on this site came ahead of our 1-1 draw with West Brom in February 2024, at a time when us supporters, could start to sense the Premier League with a team full of star-studded names.
At risk of repeating what has been said a million times over, what has since passed – Liam Rosenior sacking etc, etc – has been covered to the nth degree. But, the sense of being able to dream big has now returned to the MKM down to a masterstroke from Acun Ilicali, who, like the recruitment team, certainly deserves his fair share of flowers.
This season, across all divisions, it appears that football, to an extent, is shifting away from the recently dull prototype of passing for passing’s sake and a lack of risk-taking.
City have certainly been amongst the pioneers of said movement in the Championship. And, whilst defensive shortcomings (prior to Tuesday night) have been a concern, this particular style over the vast majority of what had been served up in HU3 beforehand has been a welcome change, as well as Sergej Jakirovic’s brilliant persona and honesty that remains constant – win, lose or draw.
Tigers’ dominance vs Wrexham
Having covered City 22 times across the year for work, Tuesday was, probably, the biggest high point.
Of course, defeating two of last season’s relegated sides in strong fashion is up there too. But, it was hard to pick any faults in the performances of the 16 men who started and/or finished against Wrexham, barring Kieffer Moore’s chance which was, unarguably, harder to miss and the penalty decision.
Lewie Coyle, Ryan Giles, Regan Slater and Matt Crooks were the quartet which stood out from a personal opinion, and, touchwood, this can now be the first in a long line of games where we see Mohamed Belloumi, Liam Millar and Oli McBurnie all take to the field either simultaneously, or in some form!
Granted, the context of the two fixtures are completely different. But, having overseen Wrexham’s 1-1 draw vs Birmingham City in October, it was particularly intriguing to see how the Red Dragons struggled to gain a foothold whatsoever, especially with a five-man midfield full of experience and quality.
However, that is a huge compliment to the intensity and sharpness which City addressed in comparison to Friday’s chastening loss against Middlesbrough, and something which must continue in the long run to build on a fourth clean sheet.
Sergej Jakirovic admission will only heighten optimism
One telling quote from Jakirovic post-match was: “I think yes (we controlled). In my opinion, we can play even better in possession.”
Such an admission after, what many felt, was City’s most complete performance of the season with and without the ball is only positive news, especially having returned to sixth spot ahead of Saturday’s clash at Millwall.
Shutting down a side known for a direct nature and physicality before travelling to the hostile environment that is The Den should also be seen as a major plus point. After all, City have now set a major benchmark in terms of performance levels and control, especially against a side who had not lost for nine outings, facing three of the division’s current top four in that timeframe too.
A sea change in atmosphere
It is hard to bypass the fact that, as City performing to such a high standard with a workmanlike squad, a remarkable and defiant connection with the supporters amid the two-window transfer fee restriction has gone from strength to strength.
So many facets to the experience, even though my personal matchday routine has somewhat changed, have made the MKM feel like ‘home’ once more, rather than a place full of apathy and frustration (circa. 2024).
It almost feels right that, in a season where Tigers, Tigers Burning Bright and Ready to Go have been reinstated within the pre-match entertainment, that this particular campaign is starting to resemble that of 2007/08, with City still firmly going under-the-radar in comparison to a clutch of sides who have spent rather obscene levels of money by Championship standards.
Up the Tigers!
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