Hull City have taken seven points from a possible nine in their first three Premier League games, kept three clean sheets and done it with just 29% possession. For a newly promoted side, that is a serious opening. It is also why their start feels sturdier than a normal early-season burst.
Hull City's defensive base
The clean sheets are the clearest sign of what is working. Hull City have not needed long spells with the ball to control matches, and their 29% possession is the lowest in the league this season.
John Egan has pointed to the work behind it. “The work goes into it on the training pitch,” he said, and also said the switch in shape during the play-offs helped set the tone. “It probably started in the play-offs when we moved to that shape. We have a lot of experience and it all helps.”
That lines up with how Hull have played their first three games. Egan, who is central to the defensive organisation, has been clear that collective work is driving the start, not just a run of good fortune.
The rebuild still carries risk
The summer turnover was huge. Hull were the busiest Premier League side in the summer with 18 new signings for about £150m, and six of those arrivals came on deadline day. That scale of change can produce energy early, but it also leaves plenty of moving parts.
Sergej Jakirovic has not hidden that concern. “The big problem for me is who didn't have a pre-season. This is a very big problem. But we will try,” he said. He also added, “We brought the players in to put some quality there.”
The opening numbers suggest the squad is holding together well enough for now, but the integration issue is real. Tim Iroegbunam’s £22m move from Everton was part of that late activity, and Jakirovic has already talked about using Tuesday’s Carabao Cup game against Sunderland to give minutes to players who need them.
The warning from history is hard to ignore, even if the opening is encouraging. Only one of the previous 12 promoted sides survived after starting with seven points from three games, Southampton in 2012-13, and the clubs cited as going down after that kind of start include Wolves in 2011-12, West Brom in 2017-18 and Leeds United in 2022-23.
Hull are in a better place than most promoted teams after three games, but they are not safe. Jakirovic’s target remains around 38-40 points, and the next step is keeping the defensive base intact while the new signings settle.
FAQ
Are Hull City really in a strong position to stay up after three games?
Hull City have seven points from nine, three clean sheets and just 29% possession after three Premier League games. That is a strong opening platform, but the article also notes that only one of the previous 12 promoted sides survived after starting with seven points from three games.
Why does Hull City's start look so different from a typical promoted side?
The start is being built on defence. Hull have kept three clean sheets in three league games and had only 29% possession, while John Egan said the shape change in the play-offs and the work on the training pitch have helped the team.
Does Hull City's big summer rebuild explain their early form?
The rebuild is part of the story. Hull made 18 new signings for about £150m, with six arriving on deadline day, and Sergej Jakirovic said the lack of a pre-season for some players is a big problem.
Written by Sam Whitfield with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 1 outlet. How we work →
