Hull City v Wrexham: Lewie Coyle's blunt admission plus Dean Holden on Championship play-off talk

It was particularly prominent during the ill-fated Tim Walter era, but there was a general air of dissatisfaction for virtually all of last term in truth.

Given the Tigers’ troubles in East Yorkshire, it was fairly understandable.

During the current campaign, the mood has been far more benign and even happy for substantial spells and it has made for a refreshing transformation.

Last Friday, the mood changed once again.

On a night when victory would have seen City break into the play-off places, those in amber and black produced the worst first-half offering seen in these parts for some considerable time.

The hosts were unceremoniously jeered at in the interval after shipping four unanswered goals in an appalling opening 45 minutes against a rampant Middlesbrough side.

Thankfully, the second period was somewhat quieter, but it did not stop more boos at the final whistle.

For captain Lewie Coyle and assistant manager Dean Holden, there was empathy with those who vented their displeasure.

After some highs already this season, it was dreadfully disappointing from a City side, who have already won as many league matches on home soil - five - as they managed in 2024-25.

The one good thing, if there was any amid the wreckage of Friday, was that City have an instant chance to get back into supporters’ books against Phil Parkinson’s Wrexham.

Coyle, who recently celebrated his 200th appearance from hometown club and is in talks regarding a new deal, said: "I understand frustrations and disappointment. You're 4-0 down at home. There's going to be criticism.

"Football changes very quickly and I get there's certain expectations from fans, especially in a home stadium. We'll take that on the chin."

Insisting that players and staff must take ownership of what happened first and foremost, Holden added: "It went as poorly as it could go on Friday. Let's not brush that under the carpet.

"We have to react in the right way and that's been the message. We've got to show that it's a one-off in terms of that first-half display.

"The fans will be expecting a response. Everybody around this place is expecting it.

“It's an opportunity to go and show what we're made of."

Going forward, Hull have produced some eye-catching stuff at the MKM on a consistent basis this season, with the Boro game being the outlier, in truth.

But in terms of game-management across the pitch and defending their own box, it’s been unsatisfactory at times, culminating in that ghastly opening period against Boro.

Heading into the midweek programme, only Sheffield Wednesday had shipped more home goals in the second tier than Hull’s tally of 18.

For City to truly progress from play-off wanabees to firm contenders, you sense things must change soon rather than later.

Coyle continued: "If teams carve you open with fantastic play and somebody sticks it in the top corner, sometimes you do have to hold your hand up.

"Boro scored a couple of really good goals. But the manner in which they got into that position on the pitch was not good enough.

"We need to be a lot more of a balanced, complete side over 90 minutes."

Despite the blow, City remain one of a plethora of teams within striking distance of the top six and should they find improve their defensive numbers during the winter slog, then there should be optimism come the spring run-in.

Holden, sensibly, is not looking too far ahead.

Tonight, City - who have lost their last two home fixtures - face a Wrexham side who have proved extremely hard to beat on their travels.

Their goals against tally is the joint best record in the division on the road alongside Blackburn Rovers.

As betting a side managed by Parkinson, Wrexham’s organisation and defensive obduracy has been of a high level.

Their options include ex-Hull man Ryan Longman, while Oli McBurnie is set to make his return for the hosts after injury.

"We've shown we can compete with anybody this season, but in terms of competing for the play-offs, it's too early to say,” Holden remarked.

"We've got a January window in front of us with incomings and outgoings for every team in the division.

"We don't need to be getting in a conversation about the play-offs right now.

"We know we've been a match for the top teams this season - and Wrexham is the next challenge for us."