Hull City manager Sergej Jakirovic insists the 1-0 triumph over Sheffield United in their last MKM Stadium fixture proves the Tigers are progressing in the right direction as they aim to erase the disappointments of the previous campaign.
That confidence was further boosted by their impressive 3-2 victory at Birmingham City in a heated clash on Saturday, which saw his team claim their first away win of the season and record back-to-back triumphs for the first time in over a year.
City head into Tuesday night’s clash with Leicester City boasting three wins, one draw and a single defeat from their opening five matches in front of home fans who are once again relishing their team’s performances after enduring past struggles.
Last season, City’s dreadful home form left them near the foot of the table with only five victories from 23 games. It wasn’t until Christmas that they secured a second win, while the third arrived in March as they fought to avoid relegation.
Turning the MKM Stadium into a stronghold was one of Jakirovic’s initial goals when he arrived during the summer, and so far, the signs are encouraging as the Tigers gear up for two home fixtures within a few days — starting with the Foxes before Charlton Athletic’s visit on Saturday.
Jakirovic highlighted the nature of the win over the Blades as particularly significant, noting how resilient his players had to be, while Ivor Pandur’s late penalty save was another decisive moment.
“It’s a very important victory for us,” he said of that win against the Blades. “I think we have this home feeling now at the MKM Stadium.
“This is our home, our house, so it will not be easy to take points from here, and I liked how we played and with the passion, with power, with strength.
“Of course, you have some moments where you need some luck, and also for Ivor, who saved the penalty, which is great for him and for us as well, for confidence and everything for the future.”
Unfortunately for the Croatian, he won’t be on the sidelines on Tuesday night as he serves a one-match suspension after accumulating three yellow cards, the most recent coming during the chaotic ending at St Andrew’s.
“I will watch from the tribune (press box). Like, Luis Enrique at Paris Saint-Germain,” he explained. “So I will see everything. I have Marco (Salatovic) and Deano (Dean Holden) and all the staff, so we will prepare the game normally, and we will try to win.
“Leicester is an excellent team for me. Maybe they’re in the top three. We must be better, much better, but we play differently at home. This is something that is bothering me because I want to play away games in the MKM Stadium. We will prepare everything, and then we will see.”