Hull City

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We asked you to rate Hull City's start to the season and tell us what Sergej Jakirovic should be focusing on during this extended international break.

Here are some of your comments:

Chris: It is too early to speculate. The supporters should not expect too much, too soon. Let's just see what happens in the next few months.

Peter: Hull City are back on the map! We've only had half a dozen or so seasons in the top tier in our 122-year history, so fans are determined to enjoy every minute. The club and east Yorkshire hinterland are still buoyant and the fans buzzing with a feel-good factor. We have some Premier League-class players, plus in the summer window we have invested sensibly in some quality youth, with half an eye on resale value. The owner and head coach are superb. What you see is what you get. The amazing characters and their talk of Hull City and the fans being "one big family" is no myth.

Eddie: A great start and we were unlucky not to take a point against Newcastle. I love the manager's loyalty to the players who took us from the Championship. We now need to start thinking about starting some of the signings like Mohamed-Ali Cho and Robinio Vaz. Switching it around with different types of players will stop other teams sussing us out.

Ian: A very good start, but ideally we should have beaten Aston Villa and nicked a point at Newcastle. We are not dominating games and we don't have enough possession.

As we enter the season's first international break, we want to hear your thoughts on the opening five games of the Premier League.

After being written off before the season began, Sergej Jakirovic's newly promoted side has shown it can cause trouble in the final third against even the best in the league.

Two wins, two draws and one loss means the Tigers sit eighth in the table - making lots of pre-season predictions look foolish - going into the international break.

How do you rate Hull's start to the season and why? And what should Jakirovic be focusing on during the extended break?

Get in touch with your views here

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"It meant everything to me because it is what I've been working towards my whole life," said Hull City winger Sorba Thomas after revealing his Premier League debut was a "pinch-me moment" on Instagram.

The 27-year-old has already made four appearance since signing a four-year contract at MKM Stadium on transfer deadline day, having scored 10 goals and contributed 13 assists in the Championship last season.

"It meant everything to me," Thomas told BBC Radio Humberside. "It is what I've been working towards my whole life. It is one of the best leagues in the world.

"I just wanted to say that I'd done it and for my kids to grow up feeling proud that their dad has played in the Premier League. For those reasons, it was an amazing moment.

"There's more to come from me. I'm just getting to grips with the different role that I'm playing, so I feel I'm just getting started. I'm excited for what I'm going to achieve this year."

Thomas also described his journey from being released by West Ham United's academy at 16 years old to being recruited by Hull City for their return to the Premier League.

"When I got released from West Ham United, there was a moment when I stopped playing football," he continued. "I didn't want to play any more so I went down the route of being a PE teacher and a personal trainer.

"It was the people at Boreham Wood and my family who basically said: 'You're not really good at anything else so you might as well play football again.'

"They pushed me to try again. My mind wasn't quite with it but, thankfully, they pushed and pushed.

"Boreham Wood gave me the platform to play in the Premier League today. I will forever be thankful to all of the teams involved in my journey, but especially to them."

Listen to the full interview below or listen on BBC Sounds

Hull City captain Lewie Coyle says he was "very proud" of the group's "never say die attitude" after conceding two early goals at St James' Park.

Newcastle United, who were 2-0 up within seven minutes of kick-off, ended the Tigers' unbeaten start to the Premier League season, despite Mohamed-Ali Cho pulling a goal back in the 67th minute.

"It is a tough result to take, especially when you look at the amount of chances we had at the end," Coyle told BBC Radio Humberside. "I'm so proud of the lads for how they responded after going two goals down in an incredibly tough atmosphere.

"If you're not made of the right stuff, that can be one of those games which ends in a bad fashion - but we showed a never-say-die attitude, which I know this group of players has got tenfold.

"A defeat is never nice, but our overall start to the season is really pleasing. I'm very proud of this group."

On the fighting spirit in the dressing room, he added: "That is one box that has never needed to be ticked in my mind with this group. We have an abundance of fight, spirit and determination - that's why we are in the Premier League.

"We went behind at Chelsea and we came back. We went behind against Newcastle United and, although we didn't get anything from the game, the way we responded was really pleasing.

"You never like to lose a game in football, but I can say that I'm very proud of the lads for the way we tried to get back into the game.

"Whatever was happening on the touchline just shows what it means to get three points, or even one point in the Premier League. Everybody is fighting for different goals, but everybody is fighting for the same goal on matchday.

"It just shows the level of passion that goes into trying to win a game of football. It will all be forgotten about - there are no grudges on our side because it is part and parcel of trying to win a game."

Listen to the full post-match interview by pressing play above or on BBC Sounds here

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Newcastle United and Hull City.

Here are some of your comments:

Newcastle fans

David: Newcastle did well to bounce back from the Leeds horror show and a win was truly necessary to steady the ship and bring back the confidence to the players in the depleted squad on the day. Onwards we go under the guidance of the very impressive new manager, who is getting us out of the rut we ended up in with Eddie Howe.

Christopher: Terrific fist half. Some inexperience showed in the second half but, overall, a very welcome and gutsy performance from a very young side. Best yet to come.

John: A big improvement on last Monday night's performance. The passes seemed more accurate and the commitment was back for the first half. The penalty miss was unfortunate, as was the loss of Steur. But the points are valuable going into the break, which would have seemed much longer with a bad performance.

George: A great reaction coming of the Elland Road defeat with an imposing start. Also great to see Willock back to his best - Jaissle will be glad to have a player of his quality.

Hull City fans

Mark: How we did not get anything from that game, I do not know, but the manager has got to start with some more of the new signings bceause some of the players from last season are just not up to the Premier League, I am sorry to say.

John: Hull City were caught napping for those early goals. But after we'd gone 2-0 down, we were by far the better side. We were unlucky not to equalise really. But we're leaving St James's Park with sky-high confidence. Nobody will want to play us and we'll want to play anyone.

Stephen: Apart from the disastrous start, the performance was not bad - in fact, we deserved a draw as a minimum.

Ade: Should have won it in the end after a shocking start. Not many teams will be taking the Tigers on thinking it will be a walk in the park now.

Ciaran Kelly
Football reporter

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One or two Hull City players shook their heads almost in disbelief at full-time. They could not believe they had not taken something from this game.

It was a mark of how far Sergej Jakirovic's side have come.

Hull could have gone under after going 2-0 down so early on, but the visitors rallied at half-time following Konstantinos Tzolakis' penalty save.

Hull ended up having a whopping 21 shots and 35 touches in Newcastle's box, but they could not find an equaliser after Mohamed-Ali Cho set up a grandstand finish.

This has still been a mightily impressive start to the season, though, and Jakirovic will have been buoyed by how his team have competed against a range of opponents - Manchester United, Coventry City, Aston Villa, Chelsea and, now, Newcastle.

It already bodes well for their survival hopes.

Hull City manager Sergej Jakirovic, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "I am very proud of the team and the way they fought. This is our mentality, our character. Even though we were at St James' Park, we were in the better team in the second half. Unfortunately, we weren't in the first half and this is maybe where we lost the game. If we had scored in the first half it might have been a better result for us but at least we showed better in the second half - I am very proud of the lads. It doesn't matter about the defeat. This is football and everything is possible. We had a lot of chances in the second half, we didn't put in the back of the net. Congratulations to Newcastle."

On his side's first half performance: "We did everything that we shouldn't have in the first half, especially when we were in full defence. As I said, this is football. We didn't defend the spaces between the defence and midfield well enough. And of course Newcastle has quality and they will use this. Good for them."

On the commotion with the Newcastle staff after the game: "Everything is very strange for me because when I look at the opponent's technical area, there are always three or four members of staff standing there. Just one person can stay in the technical area. But sometimes we are giving the players instructions and they can't hear you because it is too loud. It is not that we are complaining about something to the referee, it is about instructions. It is the rule and we should respect it."

Listen to Jakirovic speaking to BBC Radio Humberside here

Did you know?

• Mohamed Belloumi has been involved in four goals (two goals, two assists) in the Premier League this season, the joint-most by a Hull player in their first five matches in the competition, along with Mohamed Diame (four goals) and Dame N'Doye (three goals, one assist).

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Newcastle's performance

What did you make of Hull's display?

Reaction and analysis to follow - and come back on Monday for a selection of your replies.

There are five games in the Premier League on Saturday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Tottenham v Aston Villa (12:30)

• Brighton v Arsenal - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Everton v Ipswich

• Newcastle v Hull City - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2

• Nottingham Forest v Coventry (17:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

Kick-off times 15:00 BST unless stated.

Follow all of the action and reaction here

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I can see this being a frustrating afternoon for Newcastle because they are going to come up against a Hull City team who are brilliant at defending the box but also brave with the way they throw people forward.

They are a threat from set-plays too but they have got the bit between their teeth and their whole attitude seems to be 'attack the Premier League' after getting promoted, which I really admire.

Along with Ipswich, Hull are the only other team I've predicted to lose all their games so far.

I am going to tip them not to lose this time... so you know what is probably going to happen. Apologies in advance to Tigers fans, because this happened with me and Sunderland last season.

Sutton's prediction: 1-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Noel Sliney
BBC Sport senior journalist

Newcastle United seek a first home league win of the season as they face high-flying Hull City, the only team to play at St James' Park more than once in the Premier League and never lose (W2, D1).

It's not all black and white for Newcastle

Throughout Newcastle's unbeaten five-match start to the season, it was evident that this vibrant young team is, as is the nature of any rebuild, a work in progress. Monday night's bruising 4-1 defeat by Leeds merely brought the shortcomings into sharper focus.

Matthias Jaissle's side had been defying some underlying metrics in the opening three league games, which made their positive start to the season look unsustainable. "We need to expect ups and downs," Jaissle has admitted.

Putting aside the fact Newcastle were uncharacteristically outfought by Leeds, they have issues to address at both ends of the pitch – some predating the £265m-plus squad overhaul this summer.

Newcastle have conceded 39 goals in 23 Premier League games this calendar year – only Crystal Palace and Chelsea have a worse record – and kept just two clean sheets in the last 20 of those. This season, the mid-table Magpies have faced the most shots in the division, while only three teams should have conceded more goals based on the quality of chances against them.

In attack, Newcastle have had the joint-second fewest shots but scored seven times from an expected goals tally of 3.9. While the use of xG is divisive among football supporters, it does suggest an over-performance in front of goal that will be hard for Newcastle to sustain.

Continuity helping Hull thrive

Fourth-placed Hull City are looking to become the first promoted Premier League side to avoid defeat in their opening five games since Portsmouth in 2003-04.

Their impressive adaptation to the Premier League has come about while doubling down on last season's style of play. Hull have averaged just 29.3% possession this season but pressed their opponents aggressively and more often than any other side to win the ball and start swift counter attacks.

Tellingly, the core of the team which earned promotion are still entrusted with implementing this approach – despite the club signing 18 players this summer.

Seven or more of the starting XI in each of Hull's Premier League games so far were at the club last season, aiding the continuity of tactics and a feeling of togetherness.

Eight of the 11 Hull players who have spent the most time on the pitch to date were part of the promotion-winning squad. Overall, players who were at the club last season account for 67% of minutes played by the Tigers in the Premier League.

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Hull City goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis has been speaking to BBC Radio Humberside about being the club's record signing for a brief spell this summer, prior to Nobel Mendy's arrival: "I really enjoy it. I'm very happy to be here in Hull City.

"We have started the season very well. We have eight points, so we're looking forward to continue the hard work.

"I think before the start of the season, no-one believed in us and they said to us we will probably go down directly. But until now, we achieved great things with the guys and we have to continue to finish this mission.

"I came when the pre-season was in Turkey. Everyone was very happy to meet me and I appreciate that because all the group was near to me from the first moment, especially the goalkeepers, also the staff, and I appreciate that.

"When you change the league from a Greek league to go to the Premier League, the best league in the world, it's totally different. The level, the speed, everything.

"You have to fight for yourself first of all, and then you have to improve your skills. It's up to the decision from the gaffer if you put it [the starting shirt] on or not.

"I saw we played at our home with our fans against Manchester, it was brilliant for me. Winning was a hard game for us, but after the game, we were all happy because we achieved something special.

"To win 2-0 against Manchester United at the first game in our home, it was incredible. I didn't expect to have a very good result from the first game. Now we're four games in, we're getting ready for the fifth before the international break."

Listen by pressing play on the clip below or on BBC Sounds here

Holly Bacon
BBC Sport journalist

Hull City boss Sergej Jakirovic has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Newcastle at St James' Park (kick-off 15:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Nobel Mendy will not feature because of concussion protocols, but "everything is fine" and he is "good". Matt Targett is a doubt after twisting his ankle. Hidemasa Morita is still out and Jakirovic said the "plan is he will join us after the first week of the international break". The Tigers boss said they are being "cautious" with Charlie Hughes but hopes he can join group training within the next two weeks.

• On the extended international break, the Hull boss said: "We have a lot of international players which we are very proud of that but from the other side it will be very busy for them." He said the club have organised a friendly against Sheffield United on 1 October.

• He was also asked about Oli McBurnie's recall to the Scotland squad and said: "I'm proud, he is already proud because you represent your country and this is the highest level of football and [I] just hope Oli and all the rest of the players come [back] healthy."

• The Tigers boss says his side have shown they "can compete at this level", even against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, which he says was a "very difficult game". He added: "I said I'm happy with one point even a lot of people told me that maybe we should [have] won this game but I want to be grateful because every point in every game, especially in these demanding away games, it's good for us. We will try to still be unbeaten but I'm expecting a very tough game especially after Newcastle's defeat at Leeds."

• Jakirovic was asked whether he is enjoying "silencing the doubters" after their start to the season: "[There] will be always some doubters. We know our way, we know our style and we will try like always to improve some things... we will see after the end of this season. I hope we can continue like this."

• On keeping his players' feet on the ground, he added: "In every meeting we are speaking about expectation, about that we must stay on the ground, that we know our goal - to stay in the league no matter how many points we have because this season is a long season."

Hit play above to hear more from Jakirovic, speaking to BBC Radio Humberside, or listen on BBC Sounds here

Listen to full commentary of Newcastle United on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2 from 14:55 BST on Saturday

Follow all of Thursday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Got a question about Hull City? Get in touch here and we'll seek answers from our experts

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We asked for your views on when you believe Hull City can start looking beyond just surviving in the Premier League after an impressive unbeaten run to start the season.

Here are some of your comments:

Dominic: Focus needs to be on a confident top-half finish if we are clear of being relegation fodder after Christmas. This will attract even bigger signings next year for a push for European football.

Cush: Please note that it's not Hull City fans writing articles about how much they can achieve this season. We jokingly sing about winning the league and we enjoyed mauling Manchester United, but we're all pretty clear that finishing above the bottom three is the only aim.

John: It's not as though you can say they haven't played anyone yet. Ask Manchester United and Chelsea.

Chris: Chelsea and Aston Villa both had excellent chances to score and - possibly - beat Hull City. The big positive for me was against Chelsea was that Hull City had the chances to kill the game, and with some more coaching and clinical finishing those chances will be taken. That is progress. Add this progress to the undeniable strength of the team, their spirit and on and off-pitch leadership, and you have a recipe to succeed. Success comes in many forms; we have already seen supporters of the teams we played being positive about Hull. Now let's see pundits give Hull City the respect they deserve.

Steve: I'm a long-standing Hull City supporter and I think we've got a long, long way to go this season to start thinking beyond Premier League survival. It won't be long before coaches in this league suss out our style of play and come up with ways to counter it. Against Villa, we were very lucky and on any other day would have shipped at least three goals. Yes, it's a fantastic start and yes, we do have a superb team spirit. I expect us to finish in the bottom six but not the bottom three.

Hull City left-back Ryan Giles says the group can take a lot of confidence from their strong start to the Premier League season.

Speaking after Saturday's 2-2 draw at Chelsea, which continued the Tigers' unbeaten start to the Premier League season, Giles told BBC Radio Humberside: "I feel like if anybody would have offered us this position right now you'd probably snap their hand off - I certainly would. I'm really happy for everybody.

"There are a lot of players in the team that were with us last year so I'm proud of the lads for how we've all stepped up to the occasion and to the plate.

"We've got a big new squad and there are new players that have added to us and there are things that they can help us with as well, so you bring it all together and hopefully we can be a serious outfit this year.

"It's still early days but, as of now, I'm really happy and I think we can take a lot of confidence from this. We have proven we can go toe to toe against the best sides in the league."

Hit play below to hear more from Giles or listen on BBC Sounds here

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Hull City fan Ryan Frankish believes "the sky is the limit" for the Tigers after they drew 2-2 away at big-spending Chelsea.

"People really need to take this Hull City team seriously," said Frankish. "We have got a recipe that you just cannot beat in football, and that's a team spirit and a positive dressing room.

"You just cannot fight the mentality in this dressing room.

"It is just showing that is the recipe in football to succeed and we've got that. So for Hull City, the sky is the limit."

Sergej Jakirovic's side are unbeaten in the league, sit third in the table and have overcome a challenging first four fixtures that pitted the newcomers against Champions League sides Manchester United and Aston Villa, as well as the Blues.

Their other game was against fellow promoted side Coventry away from home, who they dispatched 1-0.

With eight points on the board from a possible 12, when can Hull fans start to set their ambitions beyond Premier League survival? Just where can the Tigers finish this season?

Get in touch with your views here

And have a listen to Ryan's full assessment of Hull's game against Chelsea