by William Young, To Hull and Back podcast
The Tigers opened the 2025-26 EFL Championship season with a tough, combative goalless draw away at Coventry City, showing off their defensive strength while offering glimpses of attacking promise in their first league game under manager Sergej Jakirović.
For Sergej’s first competitive fixture, he brought three debutants into the side, with Semi Ajayi, Joel Ndala and John Lundstram coming straight in, while new lads Dillon Phillips, Akin Famewo, Oli McBurnie and Joe Gelhardt – officially announced a couple of hours prior to the game – made appearances on the bench. Also starting was vice-captain Charlie Hughes, subject of a transfer bid from Coventry only days earlier, the bid being rebuffed in double-quick time by the Tigers, with Sergej making it clear that nothing below £20 million would be entertained.
First half
Last year’s play-off heartbreak had evidently been cleared from Coventry minds, as Sakamoto sent a curling effort wide of Pandur’s post after only a couple of minutes. City looked comfortable on the ball themselves, a couple of crosses and set pieces giving the Sky Blues some problems. A delightful bit of play allowed Slater to break through one-on-one, but Regan was flagged offside.
Coventry didn’t sit back though, and a quick counter saw Rudoni with an opportunity, but Hughes blocked his effort behind. Coventry kept their pressure up, Rudoni again having another effort, with Hughes again blocking him from taking advantage. Both sides had penalty shouts, with Thomas-Asante seemingly fouled by Slater, before Slater had a shot handled in Coventry’s box. Referee Bobby Madeley felt neither were worthy of a penalty.
The home side continued to turn the screw on the Tigers, but little created was finding the right man. Van Ewijk pressured City with his long throws and a couple of crosses, but his team couldn’t turn anything into a chance, bar Rudoni heading a throw comfortably into Pandur’s arms.
City did have brief sparks of their own too, with Lundstram spraying passes from deep, several Giles crosses being defended well, and Crooks breaking through – but he was dealt with easily. Coventry continued to have a go though, with the half-time whistle imminent, as Sakamoto dragged an effort from range wide of the post.
Half-time
So, half-time – and even though it had only been 45 minutes, Sergej’s Tigers were showing plenty of the promise they exhibited in the pre-season meetings, particularly against Sunderland. They looked relatively solid defensively, while on the ball showing fast, high-pressing, counter-attacking play. There were still moments of worry, of course, but a solid first 45 of the new season.
Second half
The game resumed with City having a good chance from the kick-off, Kamara getting in easily but having his shot saved simply by former Tiger Carl Rushworth. Apart from that, Coventry continued where they had left off in the first half, taking control of the ball but creating little with it.
That was until 10 minutes into the half, when during a spell of Coventry pressure, Van Ewijk had a go from range – his curling effort had Pandur beaten, but it couldn’t beat the woodwork. The Tigers were safe again, for the time being.
City continued to trouble the home side at moments though, with Giles crossing superbly, but neither Joseph nor Slater were able to get on the end of it. After dealing with a succession of Coventry corners, the Tigers had another chance, with Ajayi heading from a free kick into Rushworth’s arms.
Changes arrived for the Tigers, with Palmer returning to his former club and McBurnie making his City debut.
The game began to hit a lull, but Coventry still carved out opportunities, with Thomas-Asante having the best of the chances, but Drameh was equal to him. Coventry had another succession of corners, but Pandur was barely tested.
City continued to show flashes of danger, with Palmer sending a strike well wide of the target before putting in a dangerous cross, as Gelhardt made his return for the Tigers with 10 minutes left.
The Tigers made sure that the final moments of the game were as scrappy as possible, time-wasting and breaking up play as much as they could, with City youngster Nathan Tinsdale making his competitive debut in the closing minutes. A minor scrap broke out involving McBurnie, Crooks and Rushworth, with all three booked. The Sky Blues kept pushing as the eight minutes of stoppage time wound down, but they just couldn’t find the opening before the whistle was blown.
Full-time review
So then, football is back – and for the Tigers, its return brings a huge mix of feelings. Off the field, we’re still in limbo awaiting the EFL appeal decision. On the field, however, it’s not felt as promising as it currently does for a while. The team looks defensively solid, continuing one of the few positives of last season. On top of that, the side’s high-pressing, constant counter-attacking style clearly is going to offer up plenty of opportunities against weaker sides than Coventry, who, in my opinion, will be right up near the top of the table come May.
Adding the likes of McBurnie, Lundstram and Gelhardt, along with the returns of Millar, Belloumi and Matazo, suggests that this could end up being an enjoyable season watching the Tigers.