Hull City manager, Sergej Jakirovic felt that “mistakes” defined his team’s 2-1 defeat at Newcastle United.
Goals from Joe Willock and Lewis Hall in the opening seven minutes proved enough for Newcastle to condemn Hull to a first Premier League defeat this season, which also marked their first top-flight defeat since a 7-1 loss at home to Tottenham in May 2017 before they regained promotion this summer.
Mohamed-Ali Cho’s 67th-minute finish proved consolatory for Hull but Jakirovic took heart from their valiant effort to try and at least snatch a draw with an improved second-half performance.
“We showed lots of character in the second half and I was very proud with the team for that,” reflected Jakirovic who rued the Tigers’ slow start but was proud of how they didn’t let themselves psychologically spiral into a potential heavier defeat and instead attempted to make a comeback.
“But of course I know that we lost this game in the first ten minutes and we made some mistakes. They exposed the spaces that we left and they had the quality to do that of course.
“It is not easy when 2-0 down and it could have been more but Tzolakis saved the penalty just before half time. We said to the boys at half time that the game was still open, especially if we could score in the first 20 or 25 minutes and we did that. We had a lot of attempts at goal but unfortunately the equaliser didn’t come.
“The players gave everything today. We showed how we can press opponents on their home pitch and this is a good message for us to take from this.”
Jakirovic nevertheless is pleased to have seen Hull achieve eight points in their first five league games, having been handed the relegation favourites tag in pre season, but is now focused on ensuring that his team keeps developing their game and particularly their opening phases.
“Overall I am very happy because we have taken eight points from our games so far but of course I always want more,” commented the 49-year-old manager.
“We are looking forward now and we will try to improve again, especially looking at our starts to away games where we have to show more concentration because teams at this level can punish you immediately as we have seen in these last two games.”
Jakirovic also explained that he is giving those not on international duty a week off, before they reconvene on 28 September to commence preparation for their home match against Everton on Sunday 11 October
“The players that aren’t going away for internationals will have seven days off now and then on September 28th we will be together again and have nearly two weeks to prepare for the next game although it will be difficult with so many players away. I just hope they all come back healthy.”
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