The Tigers saw their six-game unbeaten home run ended by the in-form Tractor Boys
Sergej Jakirovic admits he’s concerned about the lack of decisions he feels are going Hull City’s way, after being left frustrated with the Tigers’ 2-0 defeat to Ipswich Town on Tuesday night.
City were comfortable in the game until ex-Tigers ace Jaden Philogene stepped off the bench to cross for Marcelino Nunez to head in with just over 20 minutes left, and then another former City man, Chuba Akpom, tapped in from close range a couple of minutes later to seal victory for Kieran McKenna’s men in a game low on clear-cut chances.
Jakirovic felt his side should have been awarded a second-half penalty when Hull-born Jacob Greaves and ex academy graduate tangled with Kyle Joseph inside the box, but referee Lewis Smith, who has refereed half of his games this season in the National League, gave the foul against the Tigers forward.
The Croatian head coach says he has other examples of moments earlier in the season where City should have been given a spot-kick, but like against Ipswich, they have not.
“Kyle, he won the race. They were pulling each other, and then he won the race. He (Greaves) pulled him, so for me, this is a penalty,” the Tigers boss told Hull Live.
“This is something that I am very concerned about because when it is 50-50, it is on the opposite side. We haven’t had a penalty yet – and we have reached 17 rounds. I have a few examples of a clear penalty. I am concerned about that because I know football rules very well.”
Jakirovic says he’s not yet had any communication from the head of refereeing, instead saying officials have apologised for the errors after the game. “They can say to you, ‘It’s my mistake’, and that’s it,” he added.
The City chief also feels officials need to be more understanding of the emotion involved with the game. Fitness coach Marin Ivancic was booked for his reaction to Akpom’s goal, which was initially thought to be offside before replays later showed the decision was correct.
“He made one mistake, and he apologised to the referee. He didn’t mean to do that, but for me, they need to manage this situation better because it’s emotional. Sometimes you say (what you don’t mean to).
“Now, when we are sitting here, you will never say these words, and they need to manage this better because you are working with a human. Of course, it’s an emotional game. Your pulse, it’s 150, 160 on the bench, on the pitch is 180, so sometimes you must manage better.”
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