Sergej Jakirovic on passive Hull City, a precious point and the players he did not pick
Sergej Jakirovic was surprised how passive his Hull City players were in the first half against Ipswich Town, and pleased to claim a fifth draw in nine Premier League matches.
Ipswich Town completely outplayed the Tigers in the first half in east Yorkshire, but only had Florentino Luis' goal to show for it.
Jakirovic responded by bringing on midfielder Matt Crooks and switching to a 4-3-3 formation and saw a much more aggressive side take a 2-1 lead, only for Julio Enciso to cancel out Tim Iroegbunam and Oli McBurnie's goals.
"I can say I was surprised," the former Bosnia midfielder said of the first-half showing. "They had good energy all week.
"After Brentford, we recovered well. Everything was good.
"My first sentence in the dressing room was we cannot play so badly in the second half.
"But this is also (down to) the quality of the opponent because they are good players. You see from every touch, they know what they're doing.
"But passive is the right word (for the first half) because when you now compare the first and second half, you see a big difference.
"When you start to get on the front foot, to chase them, to press the ball, to get players around the ball, all of a sudden you have control.
"I cannot say Ipswich surprised us because we watched them eight times but their structure was maybe a little more different against Nottingham (Forest), for example. And then this is also their quality."
All things considered, he was pleased to take a point, even if it was the third successive draw where they had been in front.
"After 30 minutes we started to show something there," said Jakirovic. "But still it was very poor.
"I think the crucial moment was that we changed our system (and made a) tactical substitution with Crooksy. Then we started to push more, to press more, to be much more aggressive. And all of the sudden we had control.
"Out of possession, in possession. And we scored two nice goals. Maybe we could control the last 20 minutes better.
"Because Enciso scored an excellent goal but still we could defend this. It's three guys around him – at least we can make a foul there.
"I know we are now waiting almost two months to win but still it's positive. A step forward."
Former Aston Villa and Everton midfielder Iroegbunam's goal – well made by McBurnie – was his first in the Premier League. Jakirovic says it is an area he and his team-mates must improve.
"I'm pleased because we brought him to be a first-eleven player," he said. "He has experience at this level which is excellent for us.
"I think he will get better and better because it's still about adaptation.
"We need goals. It's not just about Mo Belloumi and now I can say Oli McBurnie.
"But we need goals from the left side as well, and we need midfield players because we are capable of doing this."
Jakirovic also had a broadside for Sorba Thomas, Robinhio Vaz and Lucas Gourna after leaving them out of the 20-man squad.
"They need to train much better, especially Vaz," he explained.
"He has to improve his match fitness, so this is the reason why he will play on Monday for the Under-21s against Derby at the (MKM) Stadium.
"Christos (Mouzakitis), Jens (Hjerto-Dahl), Paddy (McNair), they will all play, Jack Butland will play."