Jakirovic: Ipswich 'Stole' Two Players from Hull City

Jakirovic: Ipswich 'stole' two summer targets from Hull City

Hull City manager Sergej Jakirovic has joked that Ipswich Town "stole" two players from him in the summer transfer window. The Croatian made the remark ahead of Saturday's Premier League meeting between the sides at the MKM Stadium, where both clubs sit on 10 points and are aiming to pull clear of the early-season pack.

Fixture: Hull City vs Ipswich Town, Premier League
Venue: MKM Stadium
Kick-off: Saturday (time not stated in source)
Standings: Both sides on 10 points
Hull's home record: Unbeaten this season — beat Manchester United, drew with Aston Villa, Everton and Brentford
Headline: Jakirovic jokes Ipswich "stole" two players he tried to sign — Florentino Luis and Emersonn

No extra pressure for Hull despite Arsenal to come

Jakirovic insists the visit of Ipswich does not add any extra pressure, even with a trip to champions Arsenal to follow next weekend. City are chasing their first win since the end of August against a side that finished second in the Championship last season and have adapted well to the Premier League.

Both clubs would have circled this fixture as a golden chance for three points. But Jakirovic believes its importance is no greater than the Arsenal game at the Emirates, the final outing before the international break.

What was said

"My opinion is that we have to win every game, no matter who the opponent is. It's also my approach, and I try to transmit this to the players, no matter where we are, against who we are playing and where. Our target must be three points. Just this approach could bring you something. This is how I'm thinking, and this is my opinion."
— Sergej Jakirovic, on his mindset

"I can say every game has pressure, but you know already what I said, the target is to take three points, and then we will see. Arsenal also has a very busy schedule with fixtures and a lot of injuries. It's very difficult to play every three days, and everyone is highly motivated against you, so we'll see game by game."
— Jakirovic, on pressure and the Arsenal trip

"They invested a lot, I think they brought over 20 players and even last season with Kieran McKenna, they were for me very, very good. They won promotion as the second team and in the league, and they beat us twice last season, so I know how difficult they are, and now they even have more speed. They added some quality, good players. I can say they stole two players from me, but OK."
— Jakirovic, on Ipswich's summer business

"I'm expecting a demanding game like always. We both have 10 points, so we will see. I'm expecting a tough game, but I'm also expecting that we continue to play like against Brentford."
— Jakirovic, on the challenge ahead

"Captain (Dara) O'Shea is playing right full back now, together with (Issa) Diop in the centre back, so he was excellent for me last season. Emersonn is there, and (Julio) Enciso is there. We know (Abdul) Fatawu from Leicester, (Jack) Clark, (Jaden) Philogene is there, (Leif) Davis, they're a good team, Florentino (Luis), so I can now count (Exequiel) Palacios, I know everyone. They are a good team."
— Jakirovic, naming Ipswich's dangerous players

"They still need some time, but also Gary (O'Neill) tried to input something to be better in possession. They are very fast in counterattacks, so we should be very cautious there, and we must stop these potential special counterattacks."
— Jakirovic, on Ipswich's tactical threat

"This is also experience. We have conceded some cheap goals, but it's also the opponent's quality. We can stop these goals. I think we have conceded five goals so far that we could have stopped, so this is also an area for improvement and for the players to gain experience. We have to take lessons from every game, and unfortunately, it's always on us. I hope we will improve this, and we will perform even better."
— Jakirovic, on Hull's defensive record

Jakirovic's comments reveal a manager refusing to prioritise one fixture over another. His insistence that "we have to win every game" sets the tone for a Hull side that has been competitive at home. The joke about Ipswich "stealing" Florentino Luis and Emersonn shows he is fully aware of the quality the visitors now possess — and that he rates the pair highly enough to have wanted them himself.

His detailed rundown of Ipswich's squad, from O'Shea at right-back to Palacios, demonstrates a coach who has done his homework. And his admission that five preventable goals have been conceded highlights the fine margins that have turned wins into draws.

The numbers

10 — Points for both Hull City and Ipswich Town going into the game
3 — Home draws for Hull this season (Aston Villa, Everton, Brentford)
1 — Home win for Hull this season (Manchester United)
5 — Goals Jakirovic believes Hull could have stopped
2 — Defeats for Jakirovic against Ipswich last season (under Kieran McKenna)
20+ — Players Ipswich brought in, according to Jakirovic

Why Hull must stop Ipswich's counterattacks

Jakirovic's biggest tactical concern is clear: Ipswich's speed on the break. He mentioned "special counterattacks" and the need to be "very cautious". With Dara O'Shea now at right-back and Issa Diop in central defence, Hull have a backline capable of defending transitions — but O'Shea's positioning against flying wingers like Jaden Philogene and Leif Davis will be tested.

Ipswich's attack is loaded with pace and quality. Emersonn, Julio Enciso, Abdul Fatawu, Jack Clark and Florentino Luis give them multiple threats. Jakirovic's admission that "I know everyone" suggests Hull will be prepared, but knowing a threat and stopping it are different things. The Tigers' habit of conceding "cheap goals" — five so far, by the manager's count — is exactly the weakness a counterattacking side like Ipswich will target.

The game plan for Hull must combine patience with caution. They have been good at home, but draws against Everton and Brentford show an inability to kill games off. Against an Ipswich side that beat them twice last season, turning possession into clear chances is non-negotiable. Jacob Greaves and Jaden Philogene will also face their former club, adding an emotional edge to an already competitive fixture.

Talking points

Should Jakirovic rotate his squad with Arsenal away next weekend? Fans will argue three points at home to Ipswich are more valuable than gambling on a result at the Emirates.
Hull have drawn three home games after leading — is that a fitness issue, concentration problem, or simply quality of opposition?
Ipswich "stole" Florentino Luis and Emersonn — should Hull have pushed harder in the summer market to land at least one of them?
Gary O'Neill's tweaks have made Ipswich better in possession but Jakirovic still fears their counterattacks — are they now a more complete side than last season?

What happens next

Hull City host Ipswich Town on Saturday at the MKM Stadium, looking for a first win since August. Three points would lift them above the visitors and ease any early-season nerves. Whatever the result, Jakirovic's side then travel to Arsenal next weekend for their final match before the international break — a fixture he insists carries no more pressure than any other.