The Tigers are off and running in their pre-Premier League preparations
Oscar Zambrano in action against Konyaspor(Image: Hull City AFC)
Premier League side Hull City kicked off their pre-season campaign with a convincing 3-0 win over Turkish outfit Konyaspor at the Aluminij Sports Park in Kidričevo.
Enis Destan’s deft header gave City the lead at the interval, before an own goal carved out from Ryan Giles’ cross and Abu Kamara’s strike was enough to seal a comfortable victory. It should have been more, but the Slovenian referee chalked off Oli McBurnie’s header for what can only be described as an imaginary foul.
City reporter Barry Cooper is with the Tigers throughout their pre-season trip across Europe, and reflected on a near-perfect start for Sergej Jakirovic’s Tigers…
A fine start
As performances go, you couldn’t ask for much more in the first run-out of pre-season, to win so comfortably, albeit against poor opposition – more on that later.
Three goals, a clean sheet and a dominant victory are just the ticket as City look to build some momentum ahead of the Premier League season.
Yes, there’s a school of thought that suggests results don’t matter, but I’m firmly in the camp of winning breeds confidence, and it’s a good habit to get into. Twelve months ago, we talked about the need for the club to change the losing habit it had developed, and Jakirovic’s side went unbeaten, and look how the season panned out. It’s one game, against inferior opposition, nothing more. It is, however, an encouraging beginning.
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Catching the eye
Jack Butland looked calm and composed. In his first 45-minute outing, he had one real moment where he was forced into action and made a smart stop with his legs. It was noticeable how vocal he was in moving around his defenders. On the subject of defenders, Cathal McCarthy impressed again.
Oscar Zambrano looked very neat and tidy in midfield, and though he looked understandably rusty, some of his movement and positional play were very good, which shows his obvious quality. Whether that can translate into the Premier League, only time will tell. Nathan Tinsdale looked bright when he came on, as did youngster Rueben Silk.
Matt Crooks and Regan Slater were bright when they came on, as was Liam Millar, who crossed for Kamara’s goal and Ryan Giles. Though listeners to the Tigers Plus coverage may have heard Oli McBurnie disagreeing with that statement…
Injury worries
It wouldn’t be a Hull City game without some concern over players. Mo Belloumi walked past the press box in his kit, pointing to his hamstring. He was scheduled to come on after 60 minutes and then play an hour on Tuesday. He’ll now be assessed ahead of that game. He’s looked good in training all week, and it’s such a shame he didn’t feel ready.
Matty Jacob sustained a problem, while Abdus Omur was clattered in a challenge and was forced off, though that’s not thought to be anything other than a cut, and then there’s Charlie Hughes. Despite training in the first week of pre-season, he’s complained of some issues following hernia surgery, so it remains to be seen how he comes through.
Given the struggles of last season, City can ill-afford to be losing key players this term, so they’ll be hoping these problems are nothing serious.
Bigger tests to come
If we’re honest, Konyaspor were dreadful and offered very little. They’ve already had a couple of friendlies this summer, but you’d never have known. Despite City being rusty, they were comfortably better than their Super Lig opponents. For a first game, this was probably a nice, gentle introduction for Jakirovic’s players.
Fingers crossed that Rizespor offer something more on Tuesday night. City had been in discussions with Galatasaray about playing the Super Lig winners across the border in Austria this week. Unfortunately, the schedule didn’t work, and instead, they’ll play Rizespor at the home of Maribor.
Staking a claim
Sergej Jakirovic told us prior to the squad flying out that the trip to Slovenia and Turkey would present the fringe players with a chance to impress, namely Enis Destan, Abu Kamara and Abdus Omur.
Destan scored a good goal, and you feel like his ability in the air could be a real asset to City in the Premier League. Unlikely to be a regular starter, admittedly, he could be a threat off the bench.
Kamara remains something of an enigma. There’s obvious talent there, but for a number of reasons, he has struggled to fulfil it since his £3.5m move from Norwich City two years ago. He showed here that he’s a threat. Some of his wing-play was a far cry from the confidence-shy display we saw in Turkey 12 months ago. What happens with him remains up in the air; however, he’s got a chance to shine and impressed on Saturday.
Unfortunately for Omur, his afternoon ended shortly after it had begun, finding himself on the wrong end of a fairly poor challenge which left a sizeable gash in his leg. He needs to get himself firing during pre-season, if he’s to avoid another poor campaign.
A new arrival?
While there are likely to be more new arrivals at City in the next 48 hours to bolster the playing squad, there was an interesting observer in the stands on Saturday.
Eren Mert, the chief scout who has recently left Trabzonspor, was present and sat with owner Acun Ilicali and his family. Hull Live reported earlier this month that Mert was a target for City, and his being at the game would suggest the relationship between the two is strengthening.
Hull Live are the only English media with City during every step of their pre-season tour, and you can follow all our updates in print and online.
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