Hull City 2 Cardiff City 1: Pusic left purring over top prospects for Tigers

However, after marking his Football League bow by helping the Tigers into the play-off places, the 23-year-old Austrian midfielder has seen enough to believe his new team-mates can win promotion to the Premier League.

Hull moved into the top six by beating Cardiff City, who before kick-off had occupied the last play-off berth, thanks to goals from Matty Fryatt and Nick Barmby.

It was, though, the manner of the Tigers’ performance that left Pusic purring about the prospects of Nigel Pearson’s men.

He said: “I enjoyed my debut a lot. I was surprised a little bit to be playing. I had played in the reserves (in midweek) but it was still a surprise.

“It feels good to be playing in English football.

“We played well and deserved to win against a good team. I had offers to stay in Austria but nobody looks at football in Austria, they are more interested in skiing.

“I wanted to make the step to England and played in a trial game at Bury. A scout from Hull was at the game and after that I came here for a two-week trial. It went well and they offered me a contract.

“Already, I have noticed the quality of football is better than in Austria. There are better players from every country and it will help me develop my game.

“I like the style of football in England. I thought we played well against Cardiff and deserved the win. It shows how good the team is. The Premier League is the best league in the world and we are on our way to getting there.”

Asked what he knew about Hull when the offer of a trial was made by Pearson and his coaching staff during the summer, Pusic replied: “Not a lot but I did like it that the nickname is the Tigers.

“Now I have been here for a few weeks, I know it is a big club with many supporters. The manager has also been good to me. Every day he comes and speaks to me to help me improve. He has been telling me that he would give me the opportunity and this was it. Winning made it special.”

Pusic’s confidence in Hull’s prospects this term seemed justified during what was an impressive win over a Cardiff side who will be firmly in the hunt for the play-offs again this term.

With Tom Cairney and Paul McKenna out injured, Pearson turned to Corry Evans and Robert Koren in central midfield and was rewarded with two highly polished displays.

Robbie Brady also impressed out wide with his trickery and pace, while Martyn Waghorn and Fryatt again linked up well in attack to underline their growing understanding.

Throw in a back four with an average age of just 23 that plays with maturity beyond their years and it seems Pearson has built a squad more than capable of lasting the distance in the promotion race.

Whether that proves to be the case, of course, remains to be seen. But the signs are encouraging with Cardiff, for all their protests about a couple of contentious penalty decisions during the second half, surely having few complaints with the result on the balance of play.

The first half had been something of a non-event when the home side went ahead six minutes before the break.

Pusic, with a deft pass inside to Fryatt, may be able to claim an assist but, in truth, the goal owed everything to the determination of his new team-mate as the City striker muscled his way through a challenge from Mark Hudson before drilling a shot past Bluebirds goalkeeper David Marshall.

Going in at the break ahead seemed to instil a sense of belief in City, who started the second half clearly intent on putting the game beyond Cardiff as Waghorn shot over before both Fryatt and Koren were denied by fine saves from Marshall.

Fryatt also wasted a golden opportunity after being released by a sublime pass, the striker mistaking the excited cheer of the crowd for a groan about a non-existent offside flag. The upshot was Fryatt slowing to a walking pace when through on goal to allow the Cardiff defence to scramble back and avert the danger.

It was an unfortunate mistake and one that the Tigers paid a heavy price for just after the hour when the visitors equalised against the run of play courtesy of a sublime 25-yard shot from Joe Ralls.

Now it was Cardiff’s turn to apply the pressure and it seemed their reward had come on 66 minutes when a deflected shot by Ralls landed at the feet of Filip Kiss, who was then clattered to the ground by Jack Hobbs.

Referee Colin Webster pointed straight to the spot only to then change his mind 30 seconds or so later after discussions with his linesman. Offside was the verdict, though as no flag had been raised at any stage of the move, Cardiff’s frustration was understandable.

That sense of annoyance gave way to anger 19 minutes from time when Hull took full advantage of their let-off when Barmby swept an enticing cross from Brady past Marshall from a tight angle to seal the points and ensure the debut of Pusic, who had made way for the England veteran just 70 seconds earlier, ended in a win.

Pusic, who had earlier picked up a yellow card for a tackle on Bluebirds full-back Kevin McNaughton that would have graced Super League, added: “I knew of Nick Barmby before I came here. He made four big transfers and it is wonderful to be playing with players like him. It was great to see him score the winner, even if I did all the hard work and then he finished. In the next game I will be there to score.”