Hull City's direct style: The data behind Tigers' Premier League start

Hull City have made a surprising start to the 2026-27 Premier League season, with their direct style of play catching the eye. According to BBC Sport, Sergej Jakirovic's side have played over 20% of their passes long – the highest proportion by a Premier League team in a campaign since Sean Dyche's Burnley in 2021-22.

  • Date: 6 October 2026 (article published)
  • Manager: Sergej Jakirovic
  • Key stat: Over 20% of passes played long – highest in a Premier League season since Burnley in 2021-22
  • Summer signings: 18 new players integrated
  • Points: Eight from opening four games
  • Last result: Defeat at Newcastle before the international break

The numbers

Hull City's approach was broadly similar in the Championship last term, when they played the second-most long passes and averaged only 45.7% possession – the 18th-lowest figure in the division. Jakirovic has kept the gameplan simple rather than trying to integrate 18 summer signings into a new, expansive system.

His side have been content to soak up pressure, fielding the league's second-deepest defensive line and hurting opponents through rapid transitions and set-pieces. Until their defeat at Newcastle just before the international break, Hull City spent little time behind, leaving the onus on opponents to break them down.

However, they also overperformed despite unfavourable underlying numbers in the Championship in 2025-26. Opta's expected points model calculated that Hull would typically have collected only 53 points, rather than the 73 they actually earned.

Jakirovic's pragmatic approach pays early dividends

Sergej Jakirovic has resisted the temptation to overhaul Hull City's style despite the influx of 18 summer signings. Instead, he has maintained the direct, long-ball approach that served the Tigers well in the Championship last season, when they played the second-most long passes in the division and averaged just 45.7% possession.

The result has been a pragmatic, hard-to-beat unit that sits deep – with the league's second-deepest defensive line – and looks to strike on the break and from set-pieces. That formula brought eight points from the opening four games and kept Hull ahead for long periods, forcing opponents to chase the game.

Yet the underlying numbers suggest caution is warranted. Opta's expected points model for last season's Championship campaign calculated that Hull would typically have earned only 53 points from the chances they created and conceded, rather than the 73 they actually collected. That overperformance, combined with the early Premier League results, raises questions about how sustainable the current approach is.

Talking points

  • Hull City's long-ball proportion is the highest in a Premier League season since Burnley in 2021-22 – a clear identity under Jakirovic.
  • The Tigers have integrated 18 summer signings without abandoning their direct style, suggesting a deliberate rather than reactive strategy.
  • Opta's expected points model from last season indicates Hull overperformed in the Championship, which may temper expectations for the current campaign.

What happens next

Hull City will look to bounce back from their defeat at Newcastle when they return to action after the international break. With eight points from four games, the Tigers will aim to maintain their impressive start and prove that their direct approach can sustain success in the Premier League.

Frequently asked questions

What is Hull City's long-ball percentage this season?

According to BBC Sport, Hull City have played over 20% of their passes long, the highest proportion by a Premier League team in a campaign since Sean Dyche's Burnley in 2021-22.

How many points did Hull City take from their opening four games?

Hull City earned eight points from their opening four games of the 2026-27 Premier League season.

What did Opta's expected points model say about Hull City's 2025-26 Championship season?

Opta's model calculated that Hull would typically have collected only 53 points, rather than the 73 they actually earned, indicating overperformance.

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