The Tigers have been one of the Championship’s entertainers so far
Former Wolves striker and Sky Sports pundit Don Goodman says it’s a great achievement for Hull City to be firmly entrenched inside the top six.
City return to action at QPR on Saturday afternoon after the international break, aiming to keep up their impressive form, which has seen them claim five wins in the past seven games.
Many pundits wrote City off at the start of the campaign, backing the Tigers to endure another season of struggle after narrowly escaping relegation last term, and then having to suffer strict transfer restrictions in the summer window.
Sergej Jakirovic’s side have surprised many with their impressive form, beating the likes of Southampton, Sheffield United and Leicester City on their way to fifth spot after 15 games.
“Many people predicted a long, hard season for Hull (City) before a ball was kicked, and they occupy a play-off spot – and we are a third of the way through the season, I think people are forgetting that,” Goodman told JeffBet. “Maybe it still feels a little bit like the start of the season, but we are actually a third of the way through it. And under the new head coach, it’s a great achievement for them to be in a play-off spot.”
Key to their form has been the goals of Oli McBurnie and, more recently, Joe Gelhardt, who has five goals in his last six games, with his winner against Leicester City crowned the Championship’s best in October.
Gelhardt has picked up the baton left by the injured McBurnie, and Goodman has challenged the Liverpudlian to continue that fine form.
“Three players for me have shone – Oli McBurnie until he got injured, Ryan Giles has got his mojo back, and Joe Gelhardt, who is on fire,” Goodman continued.
“Gelhardt has got five goals in the last six, and a couple of assists for good measure. I’d say about Joe Gelhardt that, prior to this run, we’ve only seen that he’s a player with potential. There have been pockets of form here and there.
“This needs to be the season where he finds that consistency that means he’s now got more than potential. If he turns that into a brilliant season rather than a brilliant start to a season, then you’ve got a player on your hands, there’s no doubt about it. Let’s hope he can do that.”
Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package
Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle for the 2025/26 season, saving members £336 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games this season, an increase of up to 100 more.
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