David Prutton says it’s so far so good for Hull City in the Premier League, but warned there are warning signs that things could become more challenging.
City have lost just two of their opening nine games this season, and were heading for a third on Saturday after a poor first half saw them a goal down to Ipswich Town at the break.
Sergej Jakirovic’s men responded well in the second half and scored twice through Tim Iroegbunam and Oli McBurnie to lead 2-1, only for Enciso to crash in a fine equaliser.
Their below-par first half came on the back of an awful display at Fulham two weeks earlier, and Jakirovic is keen for his side to shake those issues ahead of the trip to face champions Arsenal on Saturday afternoon. Hull-born Prutton believes those issues within games must serve as a warning for the players to take on board as the season wears on.
Overall, though, with the Tigers nestled inside the top 10 and the highest of all three promoted clubs, the ex-England Under-21 international is pleased with what he’s seen from his hometown club.
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“It’s not kind of damning Hull City with faint praise by any stretch, but you look at the teams that are below them that are really toiling in the division, then there’s a lot to be very positive about, I think,” Prutton told the latest episode of the 1904 Club podcast.
“We spoke, and it seems like such a long time ago now about what a bright start it was going into the international break, and what we’ve seen since. It’s not saying it in a way that should sound remotely condescending, but I do genuinely believe it’s so far so good.
“You look at the game at the weekend, it’s a tremendous equalising goal, isn’t it, from Ipswich Town. You look, and you think, can City do better to contain, can they do better to stop the shot, can the keeper do a little bit better because it’s not quite in the top corner, but I’m kind of very much nitpicking there.
“His tactical tweaks at half-time, I thought, made a difference. But this is what it’s gonna be every few days or so, coming up against teams that have got just as much to fight for as City have got and just as much quality, if not a little bit more.
“Without being too general about it, I think sitting mid-table right now is absolutely fantastic, but there are little warning signs with regard to performances and just situations in games where, if City don’t necessarily wise up but take heed of those, then it could be a slightly more uncomfortable next portion of the season, I think.”
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