The Tigers have two games left and know they are facing an uphill battle
Hull City must do something they’ve not done in a month and find a way to win a game this weekend (Image: Stephen White – CameraSport via Getty Images)
Hull City are in real danger of blowing the opportunity to secure a play-off place at the very least, and head into the weekend’s trip to Charlton Athletic knowing victory is a must.
City’s worst run of the season has come at the worst possible time. Having never gone more than two games without a victory all season, since the international break, Sergej Jakirovic’s men haven’t tasted victory.
Their last win came against Sheffield Wednesday before that break, and in those games they’ve played after returning, City have struggled to kill teams off. They’ve drawn four and lost one.
Yet again on Tuesday night, the Tigers threw away a lead at Leicester City. For the fourth time in five games, Sergej Jakirovic’s men led a game, but were unable to see it out. They’ve now dropped 24 points from winning positions this season.
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Seven of those points have come in the past three games, at Sheffield United, at home to Birmingham City and then at the King Power Stadium, as the Foxes forced a 2-2 draw, though it wasn’t enough to see them avoid a humiliating relegation to League One.
That form has seen them drop out of the top six for the first time this year, and now, Wrexham are in the box seat ahead of the final two games.
Wrexham go to title-winners Coventry City before hosting Middlesbrough, while the Tigers head to Charlton Athletic and host in-form Norwich City. Quite what impact that has on them being the hunted now, rather than the hunter, remains to be seen.
There was a huge amount of frustration around after Tuesday’s result, compounded by Wrexham’s win at Oxford United, who themselves are on the cusp of being relegated because of Blackburn Rovers’ impressive win at Sheffield United on Wednesday. Charlton still need a point to assure themselves of survival, which could play into the Tigers’ hands on Saturday.
Despite the frustration of City missing ample opportunities to secure a play-off place before now, Jakirovic and his players must believe they can still do it.
City needs belief, they need confidence, and they need to shake off the shackles and get the job done. They’ve had a fantastic season; they’ve had a much better season than many expected, but if they fall short now, there will be a huge amount of disappointment at the opportunity missed. All the time there’s hope, you have to be positive. City are not done yet. They know what to do; now they must go and do it.
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