City still have to work under difficult conditions in the transfer market
Oli McBurnie was one of those who bought into Hull City’s project (Image: SmartFrame/Pro Sports Images)
It’s a mark of Hull City’s rise this season that players who opted to go elsewhere in the summer have now had a change of heart and decided to come to MKM Stadium.
Back in August, City were tipped by most to be relegation candidates after last season’s struggles, which went into the final afternoon of the Championship season.
Those predictions were only strengthened when they were hit with a three-window fee restriction by the EFL, which was later reduced to two on appeal, coupled with the fact that in Sergej Jakirovic, they had a manager in charge who had never coached in England, let alone the Championship, which at its best, is a gruelling mistress.
Since losing on New Year’s Day, the Tigers have won four and drawn on their five league games, whilst also progressing past the third round of the FA Cup for the first time in six years.
JOIN US ON FACEBOOK! Latest Hull City news and analysis on our Hull Live FB page
City are third in the league, four points adrift of leaders Coventry City and crucially, nine points above seventh with what at this stage looks like a strong grip on a play-off place, at least.
Both Toby Collyer and Lewis Koumas turned down moves in the summer, opting instead to join West Brom and Birmingham City, respectively.
Perhaps some would have chosen to give those players short shrift, but Jakirovic, though, is understanding of why those players opted against moving to City at a time of significant uncertainty and is willing to cut them some slack. Both Collyer and Koumas will provide added quality and depth to the squad. Koumas’ impact has already been felt, with his winner at Blackburn last weekend.
It’s a measure of his management that this conversation is even happening. For City to be in the promotion race, and firmly in it at that, is a credit to his work.
The way he’s improved players, using many of the squad that struggled to stay up under Ruben Selles as his backbone, improving them shows what a good coach, and motivator he is.
Selling the project was not the easiest in the summer. Some, like Oli McBurnie, Semi Ajayi and Joe Gelhardt, did take the plunge and have been rewarded. Others were reticent and perhaps needed convincing that the Tigers’ dressing room was the right place for them.
The fact that they have been convinced, and want to be a part of it, should be embraced and looked upon with a degree of positivity, that after last season’s troubles, City are a club capable of competing at the top end of the division for promotion, and with 16 games to go, they’re in a genuinely astonishing position.
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 the day’s biggest stories.