Tough-to-beat Tigers: How Hull are flying high despite creating only 43 chances

Hull City didn’t sparkle in the Championship last season despite their promotion to the Premier League. In what proved to be a tight chase for that elusive spot in the topflight, it was the Yorkshire club’s stringent defence and the togetherness in their midfield that earned the Tigers the second automatic promotion slot. Now back in the big time, it seems as though Steve Bruce is taking a similar stance this term. Hull sit in eighth place going into the international break – directly above Manchester United – and have silenced, for now at least, those who wrote them off before a ball was even kicked.

The lack of firepower was a primary concern, as was their shortage of creative outlets – only Fulham have created less chances than Hull’s 40 so far this season. But as Bruce packed his squad with midfielders over the summer weeks there was a sense that he would set his side up to frustrate the opposition, getting bodies behind the ball and counter-attacking down the flanks when the opportunity presents itself.

Only Fulham have created fewer chances that Hull City

Former Manchester United Robbie Brady has been integral to City’s success so far this season. The Irish midfielder works tirelessly down the left side of the pitch to squeeze possession from the opposition before bursting into an attacking position. So far he has averaged three defensive actions per game and created five chances for his team-mates. Crucially for a wide man his take on success has been impressive, with seven out of 11 being successful.

Although he didn’t cut the grade at Old Trafford, his three goals have been vital in the Tigers’ success and his injury has fallen on the preferred side of the international break.

On the other side of the pitch it has been Ahmed Elmohamady driving the side. Last season Bruce structured his side with an interchangeable back five, with the wing-backs going forward at will. And although he has reverted back-to-a-back four as a result of promotion, he still encourages his players to push up the wings whenever possible and his decision to deploy the Egyptian into that role seems to be paying off.

His natural desire to overlap and get into a crossing position has helped hugely with the side’s transition from defence to attack and he has sculpted five opportunities. You can see by his Heat Map above – in the season opener against Chelsea – how he patrols his flank, but his passing in the final third will need to improve drastically. Comparing his passes from the first game to his most recent, last weekend’s stalemate with Aston Villa, you can see a common theme – the accuracy in his delivery falls through the floor in the higher areas of the pitch.

Although the wings have been where Hull have looked the most dangerous, a lot of the talk has been on the central pairing of Tom Huddlestone and Jake Livermore, who were both drafted in from Tottenham in the summer.

While the former sits in the centre of the pitch and injects a sense of composure into the side with his combing passes, the latter is eating up space with his energy. Between the two they have created 15 chances for their colleagues and completed 19 tackles.

Although Hull are missing a prolific scorer up top - Danny Graham is yet to score in his seven appearances – their position in the table supports that a solid back-line is the most important aspect of a relegation battle.

On paper, Steve Bruce and his side are about as captivating as a soggy Yorkshire pudding, but the Tigers have showcased their ability to stay disciplined – they have conceded just seven goals all season, which is less than table-toppers Arsenal.

They have altered critics’ opinions on the club. There is still a long way to go for all concerned at the bottom, but their bright start to life back on the big stage has certainly boosted their chances of retaining their top-flight status.