A goal in each half from youngster Nathan Tinsdale and Abu Kamara sealed Hull City’s 2-1 win over Sunderland on Tuesday night as the Tigers came from a goal down to beat Premier League opposition.
That’s now five wins in a row for Sergej Jakirovic and a first home win for the Bosnian ahead of the final outing of the summer against Spanish side Getafe.
For the majority of the 6,000 or so home fans at the MKM Stadium, they will have gone home enthused about what they saw from their side, particularly given the backdrop of off-field issues that have hampered preparations for the new campaign.
More new faces
The double announcement before kick-off saw City finally confirm the arrival of Akin Famewo following his exit from Sheffield Wednesday and Manchester City loanee Joel Ndala.
There was also the surprise for some that Brandon Williams was involved having been given a trial by the club as he looks to get his career, and life, back on track.
New faces have been needed and that will lift spirits amongst the dressing room, and indeed, on the terraces. More are expected before the weekend and that will create a buzz around the place, especially on the back of the latest win.
A night to lift the spirits
You cannot get away from the fact that it’s been a really difficult summer, but amongst all the stuff going on around the club which have been well-documented, Jakirovic has gone quietly about his business and built a solid, organised side.
We’ve said it earlier in pre-season but it’s important to emphasise again that City are not used to winning football matches, and even more so at home, so to come from behind and secure a victory against good opposition will lift the spirits, and give fans real belief about what’s to come.
Winning football matches of any kind makes everybody feel better about life, and that’s now five in a row against various levels of opposition, and the feeling inside the MKM Stadium at full-time was one of genuine pleasure that they’d seen a vibrant performance and they went away encouraged.
Encouraging signs
Performances have been getting better as the summer has worn on and this was the most complete display. Admittedyly, City are further on in their preparations than Sunderland, but the setup of the side looked good. Ryan Giles and Cody Drameh looked very good, the way Matt Crooks dropped in when they pushed forward gave solidty and in the centre of defender, Semi Ajayi and Charlie Hughes looked really solid.
Joel Ndala had an instant impact and almost grabbed a goal with a shot that hit the post and Abu Kamara had by far his best game of the summer, and responded well after missing another glorious chance from a Giles cross.
It just feels like City have cohesion in their play, the tempo is good and the pressing game is getting better. That press from Crooks created the error which Tinsdale was able to captialise on with a brilliant finish.
Unlike 12 months ago when City looked like they were playing in straight jackets and with a fear of getting something wrong, whilst not having a clue about what they were being asked to do, Jakirovic’s side just look like an organised football team with a clear identity.
The young players
Without wishing to keep harping on about last year, young players were a key part of pre-season in 2024 and they are again now. The difference now is that they’ve been given the belief and are stepping up to grab that opportunity.
Tinsdale was the one here who grabbed a goal and did nothing wrong on the night while Cathal McCarthy shone when he came on with a timely block at one end, and a lung-bursting run in stoppage time to get his side a vital free-kick outside the Sunderland box.
Pharrell Brown, Tyrell Sellars-Fleming, and Harry Vaughan have all shone in promising moments throughout pre-season, and you wouldn’t worry about them being involved in the Championship, if required.
One more to go
Six down, and one to go against Spanish La Liga opposition on Saturday with Getafe next to visit the MKM Stadium. Just one more game for Jakirovic to hone his plan against a high-quality side full of technical players before the real stuff, as he calls it, begins at Coventry in 10 days’ time.
Based on what we saw here, if the opening game was this weekend you wouldn’t be too concerned because they’ve suddenly gone up a level from what we saw at Stockport County on Saturday, but another opportunity to build on this is important.
Hopefully, there will be more new signings in the door and will be able to get some minutes in the tank, including Ndala, which will be important.
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