Hull City has made an impressive return to the Premier League, securing seven points from their first three matches of the season. This strong start has left fans dreaming of a successful campaign, even if head coach Sergej Jakirovic humorously downplayed expectations by joking about a potential Champions League push.
Despite the lightheartedness, Jakirovic quickly acknowledged the early nature of the season, emphasizing that three games is too small a sample size to draw definitive conclusions. However, for Hull supporters, the team's performance thus far, which includes three clean sheets and a position just two points behind league leaders Manchester City, is certainly a cause for optimism.
Defender John Egan highlighted the importance of their opening win against Manchester United, stating, "It's huge for our confidence coming up into the Premier League. The start is important." This victory, along with subsequent results, has set a solid foundation for Hull as they aim to secure their top-flight status.
Historically, newly promoted teams that earn seven or more points in their first three Premier League games have successfully avoided relegation. In fact, only three teams have been relegated after achieving this milestone. Hull's current performance, including a recent 0-0 draw against Aston Villa, suggests they are on the right track to maintain their Premier League status.
The turnaround for Hull City is remarkable, considering they narrowly avoided relegation to League One just over a year ago. The hiring of Jakirovic has been pivotal in this transformation. He took charge of a club facing a transfer embargo, yet managed to lead them to promotion through a playoff victory against Millwall, who had finished significantly higher in the league.
In preparation for their return to the Premier League, Hull made significant moves in the summer transfer window, bringing in 18 new players at a cost of approximately £150 million. Among these signings was midfielder Tim Iroegbunam, who arrived from Everton on deadline day for £22 million. Jakirovic expressed confidence in his squad, stating, "We brought the players in to put some quality there," while also acknowledging the challenges posed by some players lacking a full preseason.
Hull's defensive performance has been exceptional, with only Charlton Athletic in 1998-99 and Huddersfield Town in 2017-18 managing to keep clean sheets in their first three Premier League matches after promotion. Egan emphasized the importance of teamwork and experience within the squad, noting that their defensive shape has been effective since the playoffs.
Interestingly, Hull has had the least possession of any team this season, averaging just 29% of the ball. This statistic highlights their ability to effectively counter opponents while maintaining a solid defensive structure. In contrast, last season's Championship winners Coventry City have struggled, failing to secure any points in their first three games.
While Hull's current form is promising, Jakirovic remains cautious, aware that teams like Wolves, West Brom, and Leeds United have all been relegated despite starting with seven points from their opening three matches. He stated, "Seven points. Three games. Clean sheet. Let's move on," reiterating the importance of continuing to collect points as they aim for a target of 38-40 points to ensure safety in the Premier League.
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