The Tigers and their supporters are loving life at the moment
It’s been a strong start to the season for Hull City under new head coach Sergej Jakirovic, with the Tigers sitting fifth in the Championship after 15 games.
Last weekend’s 3-2 win over Portsmouth was the Tigers’ fifth in the last seven games and their fifth already at the MKM Stadium, which has already matched last season’s total.
The Tigers are currently in the midst of the final international break of the calendar year before returning to face QPR next weekend as they embark on an 11-game run through the festive period.
Given City are sitting pretty in the top six, and surprising many with their performances and results, it’s not a shock to see that there have been some outstanding performances.
In the earlier weeks before his untimely injury, Oli McBurnie was September’s Player of the Month for his goal glut, while Joe Gelhardt has risen to the challenge with five goals and two assists in his last two games. Regan Slater has excelled in the past six games. Charlie Hughes has improved massively in recent weeks, while Semi Ajayi, Joel Ndala, Ivor Pandur, John Egan and Amir Hadziahmetovic have all been rewarded with international call-ups this month.
Here, we take a look at official EFL stat provider Who Scored‘s ratings so far…
Brandon Williams – 6.06
Apps: One off the bench
Williams has played just five minutes of Championship action, so rating him seems almost pointless. The former Manchester United youngster is still finding his way back after two years without a competitive game. He played another 90 minutes on Tuesday for the Tigers’ Under-21s in their 2-0 home defeat to Barnsley.
Kasey Palmer – 6.11
Apps: Three starts and three off the bench
It’s not been a great start to the season for the Jamaican international and was left out of the squad for the win over Sheffield United after being deemed not ready to be involved. He then reported back from international duty with a knee injury, which has kept him sidelined since and will do so until the back end of the festive period.
Cathal McCarthy – 6.15
Apps: One start and one off the bench
It’s been quite a few months for the young Irishman since arriving from UCD in the summer and being whisked away as part of the Tigers’ summer training camp in Turkey. He made his debut in the 3-0 defeat to Blackburn Rovers, which was a tough baptism of fire for the teenager. His progress has been eye-catching, and he’s certainly earned his spot in and around the first team setup.
Darko Gyabi – 6.17
Apps: One start, nine off the bench
Gyabi is still finding his feet and role within the City setup. He’s been used largely off the bench but has shown glimpses of his quality, which was apparent when he clubbed in the second goal to kill off the game at Norwich City. He got more minutes in the tank for the Under-21s on Tuesday.
Nathan Tinsdale – 6.19
Apps: One off the bench
Just a fleeting appearance off the bench for the youngster, before he was hit by an untimely injury. ‘Tinny’ is highly rated at City and will continue to have his chance to impress when required in training.
Enis Destan- – 6.26
Apps: One start, 10 off the bench
The Turkish striker has had to be patient for his chance since arriving in the summer, and overcoming a knee injury when he first joined, but capped his first start last weekend with a well-taken equalising goal against Portsmouth. That strike from Lewie Coyle’s cross should do his confidence the world of good.
Akin Famewo – 6.27
Apps: Four off the bench
It’s been a stop-start season so far for the big defender, who joined in the summer after turning down fresh terms at Yorkshire rivals Sheffield Wednesday. Injury has plagued his opening months, but he’ll hope those hamstring struggles are behind him and he can begin to try and force his way into Jakirovic’s thinking.
Joel Ndala – 6.39
Apps: Six starts and three off the bench
On loan from Manchester City, the young winger has shown glimpses of his obvious talent and is very much a player City must invest time and effort in. Like so many others, he’s had his injury problems but has shown an eye for a goal in the League Cup at Wrexham and opened his league account at Derby County.
Mo Belloumi – 6.42
Apps: One start, three off the bench
Another one who is impossible to rate based on a couple of cameos. Going down with a hamstring injury in his first start so soon after coming back from his ACL was cruel, like it proved to be for Liam Millar, but he’s fit again now and will hope to have a big impact after the international break.
David Akintola – 6.43
Apps: Four starts, five off the bench
The Nigerian remains something of an unknown quantity so far. He’s shown glimpses of real quality, like his assist for Joe Gelhardt at Bristol City and sliced finish to win the game against Sheffield United, but elsewhere his touch has looked ragged and he’s found it hard to make a major impact. Still finding his feet in the English game.
Ivor Pandur – 6.43
Apps: 15 starts
The goalkeeper has been one of the major discussion points this season. He’s made some big saves, none more so than denying Harrison Burrows from the penalty spot to preserve City’s win over Sheffield United. There have also been some howlers in there, too, which have cost the Tigers points and contributed to why they have the third-worst defence in the league. Has been rewarded with a first senior call-up to the Croatian squad. After the break, he’ll look to try and find greater consistency.
Amir Hadziahmetovic – 6.46
Apps: Nine starts, two off the bench
The Bosnian has gradually settled into life at City and looked like a player of real quality at times. At others, the speed of the Championship has caught him out, like the second Portsmouth goal when he did brilliantly to win the ball back, but was then caught dwelling on it and lost out, before failing to stop Josh Murphy’s terrific ball in for Terry Devlin to nod in his second.
Regan Slater – 6.55
Apps: 10 starts, five off the bench
The midfielder has really come into his own in the past month or so, and looks to have gone up a level in his performances. And he’s having an impact in the top third of the pitch. He scored a fine goal at Birmingham City and should have claimed an assist against Pompey, but Kyle Joseph’s effort was saved. Has become an essential part of City’s engine room.
John Lundstram – 6.59
Apps: Nine starts
Hasn’t played since the win over Sheffield United, but is expected to be in the squad at Loftus Road. Naturally, he’s been a big miss, but City have coped well. Lundstram has been solid for the most part on his return to the Championship, and his goal against Southampton will live long in the memory. Having him back will be another major boost.
Kyle Joseph – 6.67
Apps: 11 starts, three off the bench
Joseph is another of the big-talking points. His work rate is astonishing, regularly running 12k in a game, and his display in the win over Pompey was typified by his racing around to close down the goalkeeper in stoppage time. Has three goals to his name, four if you give him the one at Birmingham. Needs to add more to his game, especially given the quality of positions he gets into. He is, however, such a crucial cog in the Jakirovic wheel.
Cody Drameh – 6.68
Apps: Nine starts, two off the bench
Another mixed season for the right-back, who has found himself in and out of the team. Showed his worth with a fine assist at Watford for Oli McBurnie, but also showed his weakness in the defeat at Bristol City when his backpost issues were exposed. Remains a very useful performer and one Jakirovic knows he can use in various positions.
Semi Ajayi – 6.71
Apps: Four starts, three off the bench
A major loss after the opening day draw at Coventry City. When he’s on the pitch, Ajayi makes a big difference to City’s overall solidity, though he’s not immune from errors like we saw for the Blades’ penalty and at Derby. When he’s fully fit, though, Ajayi is a colossus and a valuable part of Jakirovic’s side.
Lewie Coyle – 6.71
Apps: Eight starts, two off the bench
Missed the start of the season with an injury and had another niggle at Birmingham, but has been excellent for the most part, especially going forward, where he’s picked up three assists, including for Destan against Pompey. Similar to Slater, he has been one of the most impressive performers in the past month or so.
John Egan – 6.75
Apps: 13 starts, one off the bench
The Irishman has been a stalwart of City’s terrific start to the season, building a really strong partnership with Charlie Hughes and in recognition of his performances, has been recalled to the Ireland squad for the first time in two years. Has even added a goal to his record with a big equaliser at Swansea City.
Liam Millar – 6.76
Apps: One start, four off the bench
It was an emotional return for the Canadian, and his first start against Leicester City will remain one of the moments of the season, as will his thunderous strike to get the ball rolling. Unfortunately succumbed to a hamstring injury against former club Charlton Athletic, but will be back soon, and that can’t come soon enough.
Ryan Giles – 6.79
Apps: 15
One of City’s ever-presents and his recovery at the MKM Stadium has been an absolute delight to see. Six assists to his name, and you fancy that tally will only increase. Giles has been superb, and crucially, his defensive work has improved markedly. It’s crucial that he stays fit and maintains his fine form.
Matt Crooks – 6.95
Apps: Seven starts, two off the bench
The experienced midfielder has been crucial to City’s campaign so far, but is another one hampered by injury, and he continues to nurse an issue with his chest. Crooks has a goal and two assists to his name, and he’ll fancy those numbers to rise. Such a crucial figure in the dressing room and on the pitch.
Joe Gelhardt – 7.17
Apps: 13 starts, two off the bench
Gelhardt was decent at the start of the season, scoring in games against Oxford United and Bristol City, but it’s in the past month, really, where his form has gone to another level. Five goals in the past six games, including a couple of assists, have been crucial in filling the void left by McBurnie’s absence.
Charlie Hughes – 7.18
Apps: 14 starts
After a shaky period around the end of the transfer window, Hughes has been superb for City. His performance against Pompey was arguably his best yet, with a flurry of important moments and a wonderful assist for Gelhardt’s winner. He’s just a class act and is going from strength to strength.
Oli McBurnie – 7.38
Apps: Nine starts, one off the bench
The fact that he’s City’s best performer despite not playing in the past six games shows just how good he was in the early weeks of the season, with his six league goals and three assists. It’s not only his goal involvements, but his all-around play was superb, and his return cannot come soon enough.
City’s overall rating – 6.66
According to WhoScored, the Tigers’ rating of 6.66 is the seventh best in the Championship, behind Coventry City (6.91), Stoke City (6.73), Bristol City (6.71), Wrexham (6.70), Preston North End (6.68) and Leicester City (6.66).
Here at Hull Live , we are dedicated to bringing you the best Hull City coverage and analysis. Make sure you don’t miss out on the latest City news by joining our free WhatsApp group.
You can get all the breaking news and best analysis sent straight to your phone by clicking here to subscribe. You can also subscribe to our free newsletter service.
Click here to be sent all the day’s biggest stories.