Hull City v Huddersfield Town: Ryan Longman backs Tigers to end poor home run against Terriers

This time last year, the Hull City forward was in the thick of a League One survival fight with AFC Wimbledon, who he played for on loan in the 2020-21 season.

Now, the ex-Brighton player is part of a City side who are having their struggles in terms of form, but letting others sweat it out.

Hull are not mathematically safe yet, but it would take a stunning turn of events to propel them into the Championship relegation picture.

Longman said: “We have been in and around it, but it is not as bad as last season.

“It’s not nice being in a relegation battle and fortunately, we’ve picked up some really good results away and important points.

“It is nice to have that bit of breathing space, but we don’t want to relax too much and want to get as many points as possible in the next seven games.

While their status looks secure enough, Hull – taken over amid much fanfare by Turkish media mogul Acun Ilicali in January – are conscious of good public relations by way of results.

They are on a five-match losing sequence on home soil ahead of tonight’s game with Huddersfield Town and are hardly enticing fans who lost faith under the previous regime to return to the fold.

Longman added: “It is not a mental block and hopefully this game on Friday will be the turning point for us.

“The thing about the Championship is that one minute, you are four games unbeaten and in the next, you can lose five games. It is the up and downs of the division – you cannot get too caught up in it.

“We want the crowds to be coming in and have a big support.

“That is what the owners also want and it is up to us as players to start producing on the pitch now to give the fans something to cheer about.”