When Huddersfield Town last visited the MKM Stadium, just two weeks into the new year, Hull City needed an injury-time goal to secure a point.
That day, I felt so relieved.
Frustratingly, for all their ability to hold the ball and shoot, Liam Rosenior’s side needed Oscar Estupinan’s goal in the 98th minute to preserve a point after going behind in the first half.
Almost 11 months on and City need a late goal again, this time from their new star striker, Liam Delap, but this time not to salvage a point after a dominant performance but to sealing all three and bringing them level on points with Sunderland, who occupy the final play-off spot.
This in itself is another mark of the progress that Rosenior’s bright young team is making under his leadership.
In January, City had 69% possession of the ball against a very defensive Terriers team managed by Mark Fotheringham.
Here, that 69 percent went up to 80 with 20 tries, they scored six more than last visit.
These statistics show that there has been the expected improvement over nearly 12 months, but the change is very radical.
City played well and created some very good openings, with Liam Delap the main threat before scoring the winning goal.
It’s another example of the direction the City is heading.
Last season’s draw at Millwall in Rosenior’s first start was considered a high point, compared with the anger and disappointment of the 2-2 draw there the previous month.
Although Man City beat Birmingham last season, their 2-0 victory a few Wednesdays ago was very convincing.
Last season City probably wouldn’t have been able to overcome a determined Preston side, but in Jaden Philogene they had a real match-winner in their midst and that made a big difference.
There have been setbacks and there will be more.
That’s football, especially the Championship.
Matches like Saturday’s show that Rosenior’s players are not only progressing well but also finding ways to win at home when faced with tough tests like 90 minutes of attack and defense.
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