The 24-year-old forward has netted twice in his last three games for the Tigers
Hull City boss Sergej Jakirovic has praised the impact of striker Kyle Joseph after he ended his long wait for a MKM Stadium goal at the weekend.
Joseph finally opened his account in front of the home supporters when he netted the opener against Southampton after Joe Gelhardt’s header was diverted into his path by goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu.
At the 10th time of asking in competitive games, Joseph’s finish in the first half set City on their way to a deserved 3-1 victory over the Saints, coming on the back of his first Tigers goal at Bristol City before the international which largely went unnoticed because of the 4-2 defeat.
The 24-year-old also had a hand in the third, after being fouled outside the box by Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Ryan Giles’ free-kick was headed home by Oli McBurnie.
Some eyebrows were raised when the team news emerged at the weekend, with Joseph keeping his place in the side, but he delivered a sterling display and earned praise from his manager after what had been a difficult start to his Tigers career, dealing with a persistent ankle injury.
“We’ve already improved him a lot,” Jakirovic told Hull Live. “When you compare him with last season, this is good. He deserves everything because in every training session, he puts in one hundred per cent. I would say one hundred and twenty. Every training session, he puts in so much hard work.
“Now we notice that he brings something. He has good energy and intensity and is very dangerous inside the box. When we played against Bristol City, he brought energy and changed the rhythm of the game. I’m very happy for him.”
While Mo Belloumi suffered a hamstring issue in his first start in almost a year, City are now blessed with options in the top third of the pitch.
That potent attacking unit has helped them score 10 goals so far in the Championship, 13 if you include the Carabao Cup draw at Wrexham, which saw them eventually beaten on penalties, and Jakirovic admits his side are a threat.
“We have options, now,” he said. “We have (Joel) Ndala for sure. Especially with Kyle when we are in calm possession in the middle zone. Gilo (Ryan Giles) has the space in front of him, with his crosses, we are very dangerous.”
You can watch a video interview with Kyle Joseph right here
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