Mason Burstow’s powerful header sealed a 1-0 win for Hull City in their latest pre-season outing at Stockport County on Saturday afternoon, to make it four successive victories.
For City and their supporters who are going through a difficult period off the pitch at the moment, having another success to enjoy has raised spirits less than two weeks out from the beginning of the new Championship campaign.
While plenty of questions remain about City, new head coach Sergej Jakirovic is certainly enjoying a fine summer period as he continues to get to grips with English football and his new surroundings.
Here, Hull Live takes a closer look at the Tigers Edgeley Park success…
Momentum is building
Yes, it’s only pre-season and whatever happens with results, fans and pundits will say it doesn’t matter. To an extent results matter little because it’s all about fitness and preparations for the new season, but for City, the case is a little different.
For the past 12 months the club has not had a winning mentality. Winning any kind of game has not come easy, so to win four in a row raises spirits and creates a little bit of momentum, especially with the negativity around the club regarding concerns over its finances and the ongoing situation with the transfer ban appeal.
There will be sterner tests to come, of course, and that will come on Tuesday night when Sunderland visit, but Jakirovic has lifted spirits amongst fans and players alike and created some positivity amongst a fan base who were at their wits’ end a couple of weeks ago.
Lack of midfield control
City struggled to control the midfield last season at times, and that was with Steven Alzate and Gustavo Puerta, so it’s perhaps no surprise to note there will be problems ahead.
Ollie Norwood bossed the engine room throughout the game, something City found difficult to get to grips with, and something you fancy will be an issue when the season kicks off. They lack a really good number six, one who is capable of controlling the midfield. Somebody who can take the ball off the back four and orchestrate things, just like Jean Michael Seri used to do.
Regan Slater, Matt Crooks and Kasey Palmer are all good players in their own right, but it doesn’t feel like that’s a unit that can dictate games and overpower opposition.
Therefore, bringing in a dominant number six is paramount. They tried with Lewis O’Brien before deciding that the deal wasn’t possible and have other targets. Those other targets must be turned into ones that actually arrive. John Lundtram would be a good start.
More threat needed
It goes without saying that City still lacks a real cutting-edge edge. Both Kyle Joseph and Mason Burstow were off the mark in pre-season, which should give them confidence moving forward, but there’s still a gaping hole when it comes to creativity.
Kasey Palmer has shown glimpses so far but for a player of his quality, and capability, he needs to show more end product. Kamara has looked out of sorts, at times while Pharrell Brown looks a talent, whether he’s ready for the cut and thrust of the Championship remains to be seen.
Mohamed Belloumi and Liam Millar are not too far away from a return, but as it stands, there’s not nearly enough pace or creativity in the final third to cause teams real problems, and that’s something that must be addressed if Jakirovic is going to be able to get the most out of this season.
Giles’ redemption
In the interest of full disclosure, I’m a big fan of Ryan Giles. I think there’s a real player in there, and not only that, he’s a real character and somebody the club needs.
Last season was incredibly tough for him and his performances were nowhere near the level required. His City career has been pretty below-par thus far, but he’s got a major opportunity now.
He’s only been back in training for a couple of weeks after overcoming an ankle injury, and he’s looked bright. At Edgeley Park, he fashioned a gilt-edged chance for Abu Kamara, who fluffed his lines, and then his cross was right onto the head of Burstow to score.
Jakirovic is a player’s manager, and if he can inspire Giles to be confident, then City will have one of the best left-backs in the Championship on their side.
Sergej and his people
The Bosnian has already become a popular figure on the terraces in the short period he’s been at the club. His style and manner makes him easy to connect with, and he commands respect.
It took 80 minutes on Saturday before he realised the fans were chanting for him to give him a wave (props to the member of the coaching staff who alerted him), and when he did, his response was to wave both hands in the air vigorously in what was a rather comedic moment.
At the end of the game, he spent a fair amount of time applauding the 921 away supporters who had made the journey to Stockport, and it’s already apparent a connection is being built, and that’s important, especially when the going gets tough.
He will have difficult spells when it comes to results, but if he’s taken the time to build a connection with the fan base, then he’ll have their support. Unfortunately for Tim Walter, 12 months ago, that was something he failed to do, and so when things started to go south, he alienated them and was never coming back, having made little attempt to make them feel part of it.
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