Nobody is Talking About This Championship Over-Achiever... And That's What They Want

Nobody is Talking About This Championship Over-Achiever.... And That's What They Want

Third in the table. Four wins from five. Barely a whisper. Hull City are right in the thick of the Championship promotion race, and while others grab the headlines, the Tigers are quietly building something serious. Whether it ends in automatic promotion or a play-off charge is still up in the air, but one thing's clear: Serej Jakirović has turned Hull into one of the league's most compelling sides.

A Masterclass in Finishing

Hull announced the signing of striker Oli McBurnie from Las Palmas ahead of this campaign. His goalscoring returns in previous seasons with the LaLiga side and Sheffield United suggested this move was a bit of a risk, but he has quickly shut out any doubts. The 29-year-old has 11 Championship goals in 17 league starts, only behind Zan Vipotnik and Jack Clarke for top scorer. The summer signing was announced Championship Player of the Month in September, tallying five goals and an assist in four matches, scoring in each.

Top 5 players (Goals + Assists) in the championship this season:

1️⃣ Oliver McBurnie – 16 ( #hcafc )
2️⃣ Morgan Whittaker – 16 ( #boro)
3️⃣ Žan Vipotnik – 15 ( #swans)
4️⃣ Adam Armstrong – 15 (#saints)
5️⃣ Sorba Thomas – 15 (#scfc)

Consistent output at the top end. 🎯⚽

— MED FOOTIX (@medfootix) February 4, 2026

On the topic of assists, the Scotsman has quietly become one of Hull's most reliable creators. Five league assists to his name, many of them laid on for his partner-in-crime Joe Gelhardt, underline just how dangerous that connection has become. Gelhardt has played his part too, reaching double figures with ten league goals, and it's little wonder the Tigers are roaring through the Championship this season. Hull sits third in the division for goals scored per match (1.60), with only Coventry and Ipswich managing more.

If that wasn't enough, 24-year-old Kyle Joseph has made a name for himself in his breakout season for the club. The forward has seven league goals to his name, including a brace away at Millwall to secure an end to The Lions' six-game unbeaten streak at The Den. The trio have been utilized to full effect under Jakirović, with Joseph and Gelhardt often out on the flanks and McBurnie leading the line. They have combined for 28 of Hull's 48 league goals this season; talk about a masterclass in finishing.

Crafty Creators

Though the frontmen receive the accolades for scoring the goals, the Tigers are blessed with creative options to provide the game-deciding moments. This includes Ryan Giles, the fullback with the best left foot in the EFL. Giles has eight assists to his name, only behind West Brom's Michael Johnston for the most in the Championship. In Jakirović's system, the creativity from full-back isn't a luxury; it's a weapon. Constant deliveries into the box, the aerial threat, and awareness of McBurnie in the middle - it's a formula that defenses still don't have the remedy for.

Hull recently announced the loan signing of Yu Hirakawa from league rivals Bristol City. The Japanese international hasn't taken long to make an impact, claiming an assist on his debut in victory over Preston. His tricky feet and direct attacking threat are huge assets to the Tigers in their quest for promotion, having already made himself a fan favorite.

January Business

Alongside Hirakawa, Hull welcomed six new arrivals during the January window without spending a penny. Back in July, the Tigers were handed a three-window transfer fee restriction after delayed payments to other clubs. That sanction was later reduced to two windows following a successful appeal, but it still meant Hull was unable to conduct any January business that involved paying a transfer fee.

Hull City January done deals … ✍🏻

Toby Collyer ✅
Yū Hirakawa ✅
Kieran Dowell ✅
Paddy McNair ✅
Lewis Koumas ✅
James Debayo ✅

Not bad considering we can’t spend a penny!👀💰 #HCAFC pic.twitter.com/xOJZvWeXFy

— Hull City News ⚫️🟠 (@HullCityStats) January 30, 2026

The embargo boys still went about their business smoothly , including loan deals for Lewis Koumas and Toby Collyer after their previous loan deals were terminated. Hull also secured permanent deals for ex-Middlesbrough defender Paddy McNair and former Norwich midfielder Kieran Dowell, the latter helping The Canaries to promotion in 2021. These additions bring quality and strength in depth during the make-or-break period of the season, as the dogfight that is the Championship play-off race begins to take shape.

Manager's Credit

The job Jakirović is doing in his debut season in English football simply cannot be overlooked. He has built a reputation for producing results without the luxury of a budget, and Hull is the latest proof of that. That trait was evident at his former club Kayserispor, whom he kept in the Turkish Super Lig after taking charge while they were rooted in the relegation places.

It's a familiar pattern: walk into a difficult situation, impose clarity and structure, and steadily drag a side away from trouble. In Hull's case, drag them towards something far more ambitious. Jakirović has guided the Tigers to 17 wins in 32 games in charge, and there are no signs of this Hull City steam train slowing down anytime soon.