Hull City are aiming to defy expectations as they prepare for their Premier League comeback
Sergej Jakirovic guided the club to promotion in impressive fashion, with the achievement fully merited
Few would be shocked to learn that Hull City enter the new Premier League campaign as outsiders for survival.
Twelve months previously, the club had been expected to struggle in the Championship, with suggestions they could win promotion to the top flight dismissed as fanciful, reminiscent of Leicester City’s famous long-shot achievement.
Having now secured promotion, critics have emerged suggesting the club faces an immediate return to the second tier.
The final whistle at Wembley had barely sounded, with Jared Gillett officiating, before some observers were already questioning whether City could match Derby County’s meagre 11-point tally from 2007/08.
City will undoubtedly feature at the bottom of most pre-season predictions, which is understandable. A side promoted via the play-offs typically faces expectations of an immediate relegation battle.
This is nothing unusual, though Sunderland demonstrated last campaign that with shrewd recruitment and effective management, survival in what is portrayed as the daunting Premier League environment is achievable. Competitive, certainly. Challenging, without question. Impossible? Far from it. If Hull City are relegated, it certainly will not stem from a lack of endeavour, bravery or commitment, yet there is no justification for dismissing their survival prospects by May’s conclusion.
What proves frustrating is witnessing former players, who ought to demonstrate greater respect, behave dismissively toward a club that earned promotion through hard work and merit.
City may not rank among the world’s wealthiest or most glamorous clubs, but they represent a genuine football institution. The club features dedicated staff, a squad that battled through the season and secured promotion through their own efforts, and supporters whose devotion matches any other fanbase.
Joe Cole launched into a tirade on the Dressing Room podcast, declaring City finished. He mentioned TNT Sports had reached out regarding the season opener against Hull, revealing he had set his phone to silent. Reports subsequently indicated TNT Sports had not actually arranged for him to cover that match, nor had they intended to do so.
Regardless, Hull City did not secure promotion through any backdoor route Joe Cole might suggest. They achieved promotion because their performance warranted it. Against considerable obstacles, they overcame clubs with substantially larger financial resources, more extensive supporter bases, and perhaps clubs Joe Cole would have preferred seeing in the Premier League. Yet football does not operate on such preferences. Success is earned through performance, and Sergej Jakirovic’s squad thoroughly deserve their opportunity in the Premier League. No amount of undignified, immature, crass commentary – and the user resists applying the term punditry to such content – can diminish that fact.
The team may have dropped out of the top six during the season’s closing fortnight, but for most of the campaign they occupied a top-six position and frequently remained in contention for the top two spots. Had Joe Cole conducted proper research, he would have recognised this information. Perhaps his focus remains limited to the top division, which proves surprising given his beloved West Ham currently sit below City in the football structure. He also experienced a spell in League One with Coventry City, now also a Premier League side.
That approach would perhaps prove too straightforward, would it not?
Joe Cole apparently remained unaware that City became only the fourth side in play-off history to keep clean sheets across both semi-final ties and the final. Again, minimal research would have provided this knowledge, Joe.
Regarding Carlton Cole, who appeared unaware that Liverpool had lost two defenders when discussing their defensive strengths, greater awareness was expected, particularly given his son Cayden’s involvement with City’s academy until recently departing.
Being dismissed by critics presents no issue; such is the nature of football, with differing opinions entirely acceptable. However, when such criticism borders on disrespect toward a hardworking, historically significant club, it warrants condemnation. Numerous former professionals now working in media demonstrate both class and professionalism. Regrettably, not all operate to such ethical standards.