The Tigers are on terms going into the second leg after an East Yorkshire stalemate
Hull City’s Mohamed Belloumi reacts during the Sky Bet Championship play-off semi-final(Image: Richard Sellers/PA Wire)
Sergej Jakirovic clocked up a half-century of games in charge of Hull City with a battling draw against Millwall in the first leg of their play-off semi-final.
A sold-out MKM Stadium didn’t get to witness the drama of last weekend’s 2-1 win over Norwich City, but the tie was still absorbing as all play-off games are, given what’s riding on them.
Mo Belloumi arguably had City’s best chance inside two minutes, while the visitors hit a post late on and saw a goal chalked off for a foul on Charlie Hughes.
Here, Tigers reporter Barry Cooper looked back on a big night under the lights….
A defensive display to be proud of
As an attacking unit, City perhaps did not do themselves justice, though you could argue that they had the better moments in front of goal, even if their final ball did let them down at times.
You can’t win the tie in the first leg, but you can certainly lose it, and it was vital the Tigers produced a solid, defensive display against the side with the best away record in the regular Championship season.
As poor as City have been defensively at times this season, they were resolute and organised. They dealt with the myriad of long throws into their box well, and they’ll need more of the same on Monday evening.
A proper old-school battle
This was the Championship in a nutshell. Blood, sweat and tears. No quarter given by either side. Both Hull City and Millwall are very similar in how they play, and both have enjoyed fantastic seasons.
This was a game where every single duel was fiercely contested, with both sides scrapping and giving every last sinew for the cause. While the game was short on quality in the final third, it was still captivating and gripping.
The MKM Stadium atmosphere
A lot has been said over the years about the atmosphere at the MKM Stadium. There had been a school of thought that the place couldn’t generate a good atmosphere, that there was something wrong with it.
The last two games have shown that the MKM Stadium can generate a special atmosphere. The noise generated against Norwich City was memorable, but City’s fans took it up a notch and then some on Friday night. It was a pure atmosphere, where the home fans were raucous and backed their team throughout. The MKM Stadium can generate a special atmosphere, and the last two occasions have proven that.
Heading into the bear pit
There will be a ferocious atmosphere awaiting City at The Den on Monday night, and it’ll be quite something. Nothing will surprise Jakirovic and his players, but they must face it head-on. City showed in December that they can face up to the threats Millwall have, and take it head-on.
If City can deal with the emotion that will be generated, and turn it in their favour, then there’s every chance they can get a result. While it will be a pressurised environment, it could work against Millwall if things don’t go their way early on, and the Tigers could use that to their advantage, as they did in December.
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Midfield issues apparent – again
We’ve said throughout the season that the Tigers have lacked a link player in the middle of the park. A Jean Michael Seri type to shield the back four and just keep things ticking over in the middle of the park. That’s not really Matt Crooks or Regan Slater’s role, and therefore, they’ve really missed Amir Hadziahmetovic. We saw in the game against Coventry City how good Toby Collyer was at picking the ball up off the back four and keeping it moving.
In the first half, as we saw against the Canaries, the gaps in midfield were too big and allowed Millwall to play through at ease. Credit to the manager, though, because they were much better in the second period but it remains a concern, and something that must be addressed in the summer.
Another comedy moment
There have been plenty of moments during interviews and media conferences with Sergej Jakirovic over the course of the season, and this was no different.
When he was asked for his thoughts on the big play-off controversy involving Southampton, Middlesbrough, and an alleged spying incident which has since seen the Saints charged by the EFL, Jakirovic was typically forthright in his assessment.
“Why do you need to spy? We played already,” he said. “I know everything about everything. What Middlesbrough will surprise (with?) He will put 14 players? What? Unbelievable. Really?”
And with that, the Croatian left the media suite to a gaggle of laughter from a packed room. City have got themselves a gem of a manager, they really have.
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