If Hull City’s start to the Premier League season has underlined anything, it is the fighting spirit within the camp to ensure the Tigers will battle to the very end each week in pursuit of staying up.
A late Liam Millar goal to secure a crucial victory at Coventry City and coming back from an early set-back to lead at Chelsea offered that indication. Now the manner of the second-half performance at Newcastle United at the weekend has only further hammered home the belief within the dressing room.
It’s a belief that not only can they score goals, but they can get on top of opponents home or away in the most difficult circumstance to take a hold of games in the top flight.
Sergej Jakirovic’s men did just that in the second half at St James’ Park after going two goals down early on. While it wasn’t enough on this occasion to preserve their unbeaten run, it has left the squad with encouragement and belief to take into a three-week international break, as captain Lewie Coyle explains.
Asked about the spirit shown by his team-mates, Coyle said; “We’ve got loads of that in the dressing room. It’s never nice to lose but at the same time I’m proud of the way in which the lads responded. Against a top side in a tough stadium we showed a never surrender, never die attitude.
“I’m proud of the lads for the way we continued to battle back and nearly got that equaliser. We got to half-time at 2-0 and we’re always in the game. We know we’re going to have good chances to score goals.
“Then we were the team on top. The game was lost, if you like, in them first 20 minutes. When you give top-quality players that sort of time and space, then they’re going to punish you.”
City continue to impress this season and while the defeat at Newcastle was disappointing, the second-half in particular was further proof of the team’s ability to mix it with the Premier League’s established clubs.
It’s a learning process, none more so for many of the players individually such as Coyle, who is getting his first taste of the top division. Asked for his thoughts on his own introduction into the elite league, Coyle believes he has settled in well.
“It’s tough,” he explained. “You only look at the level of opposition you’re against every week. But it’s an incredible experience and I feel like I’ve settled in nicely.
“There’s a few of the other lads (having) their first time at this level but if you look at the core group that was here last season, there’s a lot of them faces still in the starting line-up. So it’s a nice balance.
“We’re in a really nice spot and certainly enjoying the Premier League.”