Hull City hoping to be complete again soon in order to compete with Championship's best
IF ever a Championship game showed the power of parachute payments, it was at Hull City's MKM Stadium on Tuesday night.
A home side minus three of their main offensive outlets in Oli McBurnie, Matt Crooks and Liam Millar made light of those issues to make life distinctly uncomfortable for Ipswich Town in the first half and inspire genuine belief that the Tigers could replicate their earlier home wins this autumn against fellow relegated clubs Leicester City and Southampton.
Amid a three-game week which tests resources at this stage of the campaign, when injuries and suspensions start to bite, Ipswich made six changes from their previous game, but at no dilution of quality.
Their bench was stacked with Kieran McKenna eventually calling upon an insurance policy or two.
Marquee summer arrival and ex-City loanee Chuba Akpom, who scored the killer second goal, helped make a difference alongside Ipswich's £17.5m club record signing Sindre Walle Egeli, a fellow substitute.
And then there was former Tigers favourite Jaden Philogene, who also came on midway through the second half to set up the opener for Marcelino Nunez. After being on the bench on Saturday, the £7.5m summer window recruit was promoted to the starting line-up.
Squad strength won the day. And it is a big reason why the likes of Ipswich and Saints are starting to flex their muscles after a slow start to 2025-26, with summer signings now getting up to full speed.
On the impact of parachute payments, Hull head coach Sergej Jakirovic said: "Of course.
"We faced a very good team. They will come up for sure. They will be in the top five.
"They are very good. This is also their quality and they have a very big roster.
"They are a Premier League team and have spent almost £200m. Everything is clear.
"But we already showed against Leicester and Southampton, especially when we are all together (fit), that we can play against everyone.
"I have no doubt that we can play against everyone. I am praying all the time that we are all together. This is the main target for us.
"Until the 70th minute, I was very pleased. I cannot say anything to them. They were very aggressive and completely different from QPR on Saturday."
City face another tough opponent in high-flying Stoke this weekend, where midfielder John Lundstram could be involved following a calf issue which has kept him out since early October, while central defender Semi Ajayi is likely to keep his place.
Jakirovic added: "Semi will play even more now.
"He will play more because he is going to the African Cup Nations on December 10.
"So I will try to spare (John) Egan because we don't have so many centre-backs. We have Charlie (Hughes) and (Akin) Famewo."
On which of his injured players could be involved at Stoke, he continued: "Lunny (Lundstram). But I am aware that Lunny is almost eight weeks out. He will need time for sure.
"We will give him minutes and increase the minutes. Then we will see. I hope it will be OK."