City ended their two-game losing run with a deserved victory at Wrexham on Tuesday night
Sergej Jakirovic’s Hull City team are flying this season (Image: Cody Froggatt/PA Wire)
Sergej Jakirovic says Hull City’s flexibility has continued to impress him throughout the season, as he heads into the final nine games of what has been a superb campaign.
City‘s terrific 2-1 win at fellow play-off contenders Wrexham on Tuesday night was their 10th of the season and ensured they remain locked inside the top six.
After three consecutive games against teams in and around them in the play-offs, the Tigers now face the bottom three in their next trio of Championship outings before and after the upcoming international break.
Key to City’s form, especially on the road, has been their ability to mix up their approach, whether that be Jakirovic’s preferred 4-3-3 shape, or moving to a back three.
At The Racecourse on Tuesday night, City went with a back three. Given they have no natural left-back, the adaptable Jakirovic deployed Liam Millar at left-wing back and Cody Drameh on the other side. Late in the game, with Issa Kabore causing havoc, Regan Slater dropped into the right side of defence, and Drameh went left to quell that threat.
Whether they are more attacking or defensive, City have various ways of playing that have been successful this season, and will need to be again in what could potentially be 12 more games.
“That this is our biggest strength that we can adapt in any situation,” Jakirovic told Hull Live. “We have some profiles of the players who have the ability to play a backup position. Even Regan Slater can play in a six or eight, right full-back, left full-back, because his work rate is incredible.
“When we saw that we have problems on our left side (at Wrexham), it’s not about the fact that Liam Miller didn’t perform well. He played a good game, but sometimes it’s about energy. It’s about energy because there are a lot of games. We decided to change to put Cody (on the left) there because Cody also played a very good game, and put Regan inside.
“We have a lot of midfield players, and we can use Regan at full-back, but because of our problems in one position, especially left full-back, this is a big problem for us. Right now, we have found how we will solve this position problem.”
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Jakirovic has also been impressed with the spirit in his dressing room. The Tigers have not lost more than two games in a row all season, showing their ability to bounce back from setbacks quickly.
“I think that shows the character of our team,” he continued. “They are fighting. You can’t say that in any games we didn’t fight. Sometimes it’s good, sometimes it’s less good, but we are trying.
“In the meetings before the game, I tell them that I just want them to go outside to play football. Don’t be afraid of the result or anything. If we lose the game, then OK. Without any pressure, fight there, do your things, try and carry out our tactical plan, and that’s it.
“They are aware now of the opportunity. It’s now nine games to go. We will push to the end, and then we will see what will happen at the end of the season, but it’s very tight. This victory (at Wrexham), it’s huge because of other results. We are in a good position.”
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