The Tigers host Gary Rowett’s Oxford United on Sunday afternoon
Hull City fans celebrate the a rare MKM Stadium win last season against Oxford United(Image: George Wood/Getty Images)
Semi Ajayi may not get to play in what he hopes will be a cauldron-like atmosphere at the MKM Stadium on Sunday, but he believes the club’s previous struggles in front of their own supporters will count for little when they kick off against Oxford United.
City won just five times at the MKM Stadium last season, the worst record in the league. That awful form played a major part in the Tigers’ battle against relegation and left fans fed up.
Both Tim Walter and Ruben Selles found it tough to win games on home soil, as did Liam Rosenior in the campaign before that, and Sergej Jakirovic’s new-look City side will be desperate to get that home win as quickly as possible to avoid any such issues this term.
The early signs bode well for Jakirovic. In his two friendly games, the Tigers beat Sunderland and drew with Getafe in what was a positive opening to his life at the MKM Stadium.
Ajayi, who will be sidelined for the next four to six weeks with a hamstring injury he picked up after the opening day draw at Coventry City a week ago, is keen to see the MKM Stadium become the proverbial fortress this season and provide the backdrop to what the Tigers hope will be a successful campaign.
“This is a new squad, new season, new manager, so I think it’s a clean slate,” the Nigerian international told Hull Live. “We’re looking to pick up as many points as we can at home, but we want to win every single game, whether it’s home or away.
“We’re really looking forward to being in front of the fans for the first time this season, and hopefully we give them something to smile about.”
If the Tigers are to enjoy a better season than many are predicting, then being tough to beat at home will be a key factor. For too long, the stylish arena has been too comfortable for visiting teams, something Ajayi is keen to see change.
“Definitely (the MKM must be a fortress); we need to win games, but we want to win every single game, but definitely at home. We don’t want anyone coming into our house and leaving with the points,” he continued.
“We want to make it somewhere that people don’t really like coming, and we can rely on our home form. That starts on Sunday, and hopefully continues for the rest of the season.
“Yes, definitely (the fans can play their part). So far so good, the factwe can always rely on the fans to give us their one hundred per cent support.
“They’ve been really, really vocal. Even today (at Coventry), they were massively outnumbered, but I heard them for the whole 90 minutes, so, at home, I’m just expecting it to be like a cauldron, and we’re really looking forward to playing in that sort of atmosphere.”
Despite the well-documented issues off the pitch relating to the club’s battles with the EFL, Jakirovic has fostered a positive environment around the training ground and within the confines of the dressing room.
Ajayi says the manager’s impact has been crucial, and admits such dramas can often help create something of a siege mentality around the club.
“There’s been a lot of talk about the adversity that’s going on behind the scenes and I think that just kind of creates a siege mentality because we know what we have in the building and what we have in the changing room and we’ve got full belief in ourselves, as a group, including the staff and the players,” the experienced centre-back said.
“It’s just down to us to show everyone what we’re capable of, irrespective of what’s going on, and I think today (Coventry) was a good start.”
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