Jakirovic: 'We were written off' — Hull ready to defy odds at Wembley

Hull City manager Sergej Jakirovic has delivered a pointed message to critics ahead of Saturday's Championship play-off final at Wembley, where the Tigers face Southampton for a place in the Premier League. The Croatian, who took charge in November 2024, believes his team have been unfairly dismissed throughout the season.

How Hull defied the doubters to reach Wembley

Hull finished sixth in the Championship table with 76 points, securing their play-off spot on the final day with a 2-1 victory over Plymouth. Their form in the run-in was outstanding: they won four of their last five league matches, conceding just three goals. The semi-final against Coventry saw them grind out a 1-0 win at the MKM Stadium before a tense 1-1 draw at the CBS Arena.

Jakirovic took over with Hull in 14th place and transformed their fortunes. Under his guidance, the Tigers adopted a more aggressive pressing system, averaging 12.3 high turnovers per game since March — the second-highest in the division. The key tactical shift came in the shape of a 4-2-3-1 formation that maximises the creativity of midfielder Regan Slater, who contributed nine assists in the league.

Southampton, by contrast, finished fourth with 84 points but stuttered in the final weeks, winning only two of their last six matches. Their reliance on set pieces — 17 goals from dead-ball situations — is well documented, but Hull's organised defence has conceded only six set-piece goals all season.

What this means for Hull's promotion push and FPL managers

Victory at Wembley would see Hull return to the Premier League after a three-year absence. For Fantasy Premier League managers, a promoted Hull side would offer several budget-friendly options: striker Aaron Connolly, who scored 16 league goals this season, is likely to be priced around £5.5m. Full-back Cyrus Christie, with eight assists and 10 clean sheets, could be a £4.5m bargain. The Tigers' attacking style under Jakirovic suggests they would not simply park the bus, making their assets more appealing.

  • Hull have kept clean sheets in three of their last five away fixtures, including at Sunderland and Watford.
  • Southampton's leading scorer, Adam Armstrong, has 21 goals but has gone three games without a goal.
  • The play-off final has historically favoured the side with better recent form — Hull have won six of their last eight matches.

From a tactical perspective, Jakirovic's side have excelled in transition, scoring 14 goals on the counter-attack this season. Southampton's high defensive line, which has been exploited by pacey forwards like Connolly, could prove decisive. The Tigers also rank top of the Championship for distance covered per game (117.3 km), a stat that could tip the balance in extra time.

What's next: Wembley date with destiny

The final kicks off at 15:00 BST on Saturday May 24. Hull are slight underdogs with bookmakers, but Jakirovic's men have already beaten Southampton 2-1 at the MKM Stadium in February. The prize is a Premier League windfall worth at least £170 million over three seasons. A defeat would likely trigger a squad overhaul, with several out-of-contract players — including Christie and loanee Joe Gelhardt — expected to depart. For now, all focus is on one game: 90 minutes that could define a generation for Hull City.

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