City kick off their play-off campaign on Friday night against Millwall
Charlie Hughes and Matt Crooks celebrate the win over Norwich City(Image: Ashley Allen/Getty Images)
Former promotion-winning skipper Jobi McAnuff says Hull City were worthy of their top six finish after a fascinating end to another dramatic Championship season at the weekend.
Despite going to the final day outside the top six, Sergej Jakirovic’s heroes beat Norwich City 2-1 at a sold-out MKM Stadium to clinch the final play-off place, after Wrexham could only draw 2-2 with Middlesbrough.
City had spent four months inside the top six before slipping out after their 2-2 draw at Leicester City last month, and at one point after their win in North Wales, had a nine-point cushion to seventh place.
A poor run of form in the final month of the campaign saw City fail to win in the six games before the final outing of the regular season, threatening to bring a disappointing end to what had been a fine campaign under Jakirovic in his first season as a manager in English football.
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The Tigers were tipped to be relegation candidates at the start of the season, having only survived relegation on goal difference last term, and then being hit by strict transfer restrictions.
Against that backdrop of difficulties, McAnuff has praised the job Jakirovic has done at the MKM Stadium, with a two-legged semi-final against Millwall coming up for a place in the Wembley final.
“An incredible end to what’s been a fascinating season,” McAnuff said on Sky Sports. “We talked about the openness of the division this year, which I think’s been brilliant for us, been really refreshing.
“Ipswich Town getting the job done, and again, we thought the drama would come with that sixth place, and Hull City, I’ve gotta say, really deserved it over the course of the season.
“They stayed up on goal difference last year, so the turnaround and the job (Sergej) Jakirovic has done, under transfer restrictions, phenomenal. We’ve got the play-offs to look forward to as well, brilliant season.”
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