Hull City's win at Coventry City keeps them ahead of the game when they should be finding their feet
At a time when Hull City should be playing catch-up, they are already well ahead of the game.
Who knows quite where it can take them, but to see Oli McBurrnie in Coventry City's press conference room after their second win of the season was a reminder that a little momentum can go a long way.
To always have more points than games played is a good target for a team (not club) new to the Premier League. Hull have six from two.
Last season was the first in 15 when a point per game would not have kept you up. Even then, only two more points were needed. Leeds United only had fewer for 11 days.
McBurnie's Sheffield United never dropped below it en route to finishing ninth in 2019-20. The last time Hull stayed up, in 2013-14, they stayed at or above the line until the final weekend.
Even if they lose their next five games, Hull will be there until the second half of October. By then, they should be edging towards their true potential.
What they have done so far is even more remarkable against the chaotic backdrop of the transfer window.
When Coventry's first Premier League home match in 25 years kicked off on Saturday, Hull had made 12 summer signings. By now it could well be more, when the transfer window closes at 11pm on Tuesday it certainly will be.
Whereas the Tigers were punished into being targeted this time last year, now it is back to the trolley dash we have become familiar with under Acun Ilicali's ownership.
Coach Sergej Jakirovic wants another centre-forward and two more wingers, but was not discounting getting three. Before Toby Collyer joined West Bromwich Albion, he was talking about perhaps adding him to his midfield.
Could another right-back arrive? "If it's better what we have one, yes," he said on Saturday evening.
A goalkeeper? "Also a good question."
How it will fit together is anyone's guess. Surely they at least need the September/October international break before it starts to gel properly.
As it stands, Hull have 28 players over the age of 21. Only 25 can be registered to play in the Premier League. At least 17 must have learnt their football in this country.
Jakirovic is nudging Kieran Dowell, Abdulkadir Omur, David Akintola and Matty Jacob towards the exit but how many will get fixed up in such a short space of time?
Oscar Zambrano is likely to be loaned out before he has made his "second debut". Even Liam Millar, who brilliantly kept his cool to win the game, could be moved on but not, insisted Jakirovic, Ryan Giles, despite Hull signing two players this summer to play in his position.
The fans will be happy after repeatedly singing "Don't sell Giles" in response to links with Burnley.
Making sense of it all is Jakirovic's job, and he is doing it brilliantly.
"If things aren't working after five minutes he's not too stubborn to completely change his gameplan," said McBurnie. “That's his best quality, being a winner. He doesn't care how we have to do it. It's not all about looking pretty and having a million passes before the goal."
It seemed to early for as important a game as Coventry away but as against Manchester United, Hull looked an very well-drilled unit.
They had a problem with former Huddersfield Town midfielder Jack Rudoni sliding balls down the right of their back three, exacerbated by Lewie Coyle picking up a yellow card and a knock. But Jakirovic took his captain and debutant Hidemasa Morita off at half-time, and things tightened up.
Coventry's only really big chance bounced off Taiwo Awoniyi's thigh. Konstantinos Tzolakis made a brilliant point-blank save.
"We prefer letting the other team have the ball and just defending," said McBurnie. "When we are suffering and the other team have a lot of the ball, we do feel comfortable."
The longer the game went on, the more dangerous Hull looked on the counter-attack. McBurnie released substitute Millar in the 80th minute. In turning down the opportunity to pick out Mohamed Belloumi, he had to score. He missed the target.
Two minutes later, when a Coventry corner broke down, Belloumi sent the Canadian through for a second go. This time he picked his spot.
"It's not the one you want when you've just missed," said McBurnie. "He showed really big balls."
Hull are in a good place mentally. And crucially, a good points tally.
"It's big confidence for us,” said Jakirovic. "Me as well because I don't have experience at this level.
"We have a lot of work to do."
They really do. But it is so much easier after a start like this.
Coventry City: Rushworth; van Ewijk, Thomas (Pinnock 78), Amenda, DaSilva; Yirenkyi (Torp 71), Grimes; Tchaouna (Sakamoto 59), Rudoni (Hamer 71), Awoniyi; Mason-Clark (Thomas-Asante 59).
Unused substitutes: Simms, Kitching, Latibeaudiere, Bentley.
Hull City: Tzolakis; Ajayi, Egan, Mendy (Herrington 60); Coyle (Drameh HT), Slater, Morita (Gourna HT), Giles; Belloumi (Cho 83), McBurnie, Stroud (Millar 60).
Unused substitutes: Phillips, Hjerto-Dahl, McNair, Targett.
Referee: J Smith (Lincolnshire).