Hull City vs Ipswich: O'Neil warns Blues not to underestimate Tigers
Ipswich manager Gary O'Neil has warned his side not to underestimate Hull City ahead of Saturday's first-ever top-flight meeting at the MKM Stadium. The Tigers sit 10th, two places above the Blues on goal difference, with both sides on 10 points after eight Premier League matches.
- Fixture: Hull City vs Ipswich Town, Premier League
- Date: Saturday afternoon
- Venue: MKM Stadium
- League positions: Hull 10th, Ipswich 12th (both 10 points)
- Hull form: Without a win in six league matches (seven in all competitions)
- Hull home record: Unbeaten — one win, three draws
What was said
"I have a lot of respect for Hull and what they're doing. I think they have a way that they do it and I don't think it matters what way that is. They're very, very good at it."
"You don't get nine games into a season and 46 games through a Championship season getting away with stuff. They have a style that causes teams problems. They've caused almost every team problems. I've watched all of their games now this season and they've caused every team problems."
"They're direct, they're hard-working, they win loads of duels, they use [Oli] McBurnie a lot, they defend with a lot of numbers."
"It's going to be a tough game. It's a Premier League game, I don't care that they've just been promoted, I don't care that they were promoted through the play-offs. They're in the Premier League, they've signed a lot of players, a lot of good players and it will be a real tough test for us."
"Anyone that doesn't respect Hull and what they are at this moment needs to have a good look at where they are, what they've produced over the last 55 league games. Unbelievable success, that's no fluke."
"It's a tough place to go. The atmosphere they create, the form they have there. Their style of play as well. They put it in your box a lot early, crosses from both wing-backs, direct play from the goalkeeper, long throws."
"When I watched the Villa game, the Brentford game, you feel like you come under a bit of pressure at times, some longer spells where the ball is bouncing around in your box and you have to survive them."
"I saw what an unbelievable job he was doing. The best way to get promoted as well, probably, through the play-offs. I think I've done it three times. Perhaps not the best, but you get the excitement and the day out at Wembley and that euphoria."
"Any newly promoted side that comes up and makes a really stable start and manage to just quieten down any noise and keep the waters calm for a while, it gives you a chance to then build. He's managed to do that and all credit to him. You can see why, it's no fluke, they have a real clear way of doing things and he and his staff are doing a really good job."
"Really good, really low on the pitch, loads of numbers between you and the goal, always. When they do jump to put pressure on the ball, it's man for man, aggressive. They added excellent physicality on the backline. [Semi] Ajayi does an excellent job on the right side of the defence."
"You can't play as many Premier League teams as they have and look solid and stable without having something really, really good going on, and they have. So, regardless of the fact that it's Hull and that they were in the Championship last year, this is a good side performing in the Premier League."
"We go there and we're facing that, we're not facing a team that's come up through the play-offs and Championship, we're facing what they are right now, which is a well-organised, tough side to break down that carry a threat. They score a lot of goals, scored two at Stamford Bridge, so it's going to be a tough game, real tough game."
"I'm hoping they feel the same about us. It'll be a tight one, I'm sure. I think it'll be two sides going at it, there won't be much in it and we try and do everything we can to make sure we just turn those margins in our favour."
"That can help, they haven't had to change at all. Sometimes you see sides that run away with a Championship playing unbelievable football and then it's a tricky one for the coach."
The numbers
Hull's eight Premier League matches have produced only 17 goals. Only Arsenal, Leeds and Brighton have conceded fewer than the Tigers' eight, while six sides have scored fewer than their nine. At home, only Brighton (one) and Arsenal (two) have shipped fewer than Hull's three.
The Tigers remain unbeaten at the MKM Stadium, having won one — a 2-0 opening-week defeat of Manchester United — and drawn three: 0-0 with Aston Villa, 2-2 with Everton and 1-1 with Brentford last Sunday. Their last win came at Coventry City in late August.
Ipswich, by contrast, have scored nine on their travels — only Brighton (10) and Manchester City (nine) have more — but have conceded 11, more than any other club in the division on the road.
O'Neil's respect for Jakirovic and Hull's style
O'Neil was keen to highlight the work of Hull head coach Sergej Jakirovic, admitting he knew little about him before the Tigers' promotion campaign. He praised the way Jakirovic has kept the noise down and built a stable start to life in the Premier League.
The Ipswich boss also outlined the specific challenges Hull pose: direct play, crosses from both wing-backs, long throws and a willingness to put the ball into the box early. He singled out Oli McBurnie as a focal point and Semi Ajayi for his performances on the right side of defence.
O'Neil dismissed the idea that facing a fellow promoted side is any different from playing the likes of Nottingham Forest, Fulham or Manchester City. "It feels the same as Forest and Fulham and Man City," he said. "It's just trying to prep a team to try and give us more points than we go with."
Talking points
- Hull's home fortress: Unbeaten at the MKM Stadium with a win over Manchester United and draws against Aston Villa, Everton and Brentford, Hull have made their ground a difficult place to visit.
- O'Neil's warning: The Ipswich manager insists Hull's promotion was "no fluke" and that their 55-game body of work demands respect, rejecting any suggestion they are merely a newly promoted side.
- Jakirovic's impact: O'Neil praised the Hull head coach for creating a clear style and a calm environment that has allowed the Tigers to adapt seamlessly to the Premier League.
What happens next
Hull will look to extend their unbeaten home run and claim a first win in seven league matches when they host Ipswich on Saturday. The Blues, level on points, will aim to leapfrog the Tigers with a first away victory of the season. Both sides will then turn their attention to the next round of Premier League fixtures.
Frequently asked questions
When and where is Hull City vs Ipswich Town?
The match takes place on Saturday afternoon at the MKM Stadium. It is the clubs' first-ever top-flight meeting.
What is Hull City's current form?
Hull are without a win in six Premier League matches (seven in all competitions) since beating Coventry City 1-0 away in late August. They are 10th with 10 points.
What did Gary O'Neil say about Hull's style?
O'Neil described Hull as "direct, hard-working" and said they "win loads of duels, use McBurnie a lot and defend with a lot of numbers." He also highlighted their threat from wing-back crosses and long throws.
Related Articles
Filed under: Club News | LA Premier League Home
