Why Hull City's unpredictable nature could make them a force to be reckoned with in Championship play-offs
Analysis of Hull City’s dramatic win over Norwich City - and their upcoming play-off challenges
There was something poetic and appropriate about Hull City’s regular Championship season ending messily. Quite simply, very little of Hull’s 2025/26 campaign has been straightforward.
The journey started with a controversial managerial change, one owner Acun Ilıcalı took stick for. He axed Ruben Selles when few were calling for his head in the aftermath of a successful fight for survival.
There was then a derailment before the campaign started, when a transfer embargo was imposed. Ilıcalı, again, was on the receiving end of doubting words.
Was there reason for worry? Undoubtedly. But the appointment of Sergej Jakirović proved inspired and the Bosnian has turned a potential disaster into something that could be magical.
Messy start against Norwich City
Hull did not fly out of the traps against Norwich, instead wandering out of them and meandering aimlessly through a tough first half. When Mohamed Toure fired Norwich ahead, latching on to an Anis Ben Slimane ball and lashing past Ivor Pandur, few could argue it was not something the Canaries deserved.
“In the first half, I can say, we didn't play anything,” said Jakirović. “[We were] just kicking the balls around.
"That was not the plan. My first message in the half-time was that we needed to calm down, to play with the ball, to be happy, to believe in ourselves and our teammates, that we can create something there because they are not robot. And then in the second half, I think we played better.
“I was calm. I don’t celebrate the goals anymore like in the beginning of the season. Especially in these six games, which we played when we were 1-0 up and don't take anything. I was calm – my focus was on the substitutions, how we can improve. In the end, it was very, very good.”
The MKM Stadium faithful could have been forgiven for fearing their side were choking, squandering an opportunity presented by Wrexham stumbling against Middlesbrough.
They needed their fears to be allayed and Oli McBurnie stepped up to the plate, levelling from the penalty spot before clinching a 2-1 victory with a cool finish.
Even as Hull improved, there were hairy moments. This side, assembled under transfer embargo constraints, is not always the tidiest team.
What they do have is characters, players who have taken their fair share of criticism in recent weeks yet have a penchant for standing up to be counted when under the cosh.
“You can see immediately, starting the game, some players are comfortable, happy with the ball,” said Jakirović. “Some players, it’s stress.
“I saw this from my position [in the stands due to a ban]. I tried to communicate to them, ‘relax, just play’. I think the second half was better. We were not stressed like in the first half. First-half, we were too direct.”
Hull City as a threat in the play-offs
At their worst, Hull are disjointed, clumsy and infuriating to watch. At their best, they are awkward customers who can squeeze an opponent into submission.
The victory ended a run of six games without one and no one can pretend the Tigers have marched into the play-offs. It has been more of a stagger and a stumble.
They may not be fancied by too many to take the third promotion slot but Millwall will not be relishing the prospect of facing them over two legs.
There are areas in which Hull simply cannot match Millwall, or Southampton and Middlesbrough for that matter. But make no mistake, the Tigers have strengths of their own.
The play-offs are the home of unpredictability and few Championship clubs are more strongly associated with that word than Hull.
They had no right to be challenging for the top six considering their circumstances, never mind finishing in it. Jakirović’s men have spent the season ripping up scripts.
Yes, it’s been messy, but the play-offs and messy are a match made in heaven.
Hull City: Pandur, Coyle, Egan (McNair 45), Hughes, Giles; Slater, Crooks (Lundstram 87); Belloumi (Dowell 59), Gelhardt (Joseph 60), Miller (Koumas 82); McBurnie.
Unused substitutes: Phillips, Ajayi, Gyabi, Hirakawa.
Norwich City: Kovacevic, Stacey, McConville, Cordoba, Fisher; Mattson, Wright (Mundle-Smith 86); Forson (Maghoma 45), Slimane (Field 70), Ahmed (Gibbs 45); Toure (Kvistgaarden 82).
Unused substitutes: Grimshaw, Darling, Schlupp, Springett.
Referee: Josh Smith (Peterborough)