Head coach Nigel Adkins has said the character and spirit on show from Hull City at the weekend in the game against Norwich City is exactly how the side can pull further away from the bottom of the Championship table.
Hosting the side at the KCOM Stadium, Hull opened the scoring six minutes into the affair through Jackson Irvine, but old issues came to the fore and by the 40th minute we found ourselves three one down.
That seemed to spark something and a double penalty award that Abel Hernandez took a brace from set us on our way to victory with an almighty come back leaving Harry Wilson to score the winner.
Speaking to the Official Site as he met with the media following the game, Adkins was obviously delighted – and relieved after such a rollercoaster of emotions.
‘I thought the players were magnificent and we started the game ever so well. We responded in the right manner (Tuesday’s defeat) and we could have scored three or four goals in the early stages. Jackson scored a lovely goal to open the scoring and he works his socks off for the team, so it was great for him to get a goal.’
Adkins tune had to turn somewhat at that point obviously.
‘You then look at the goals we conceded, two of them were penalties and we`ve gone 3-1 behind. At that point I`m thinking ‘how are we 3-1 down?` We responded to that, kept our composure and great credit has to go to the players for that.’
He also knew the fans had played their part in the comeback.
‘The atmosphere in the stadium was great. The fans got behind the players all the way through and in a fantastic performance, the character shown by the players was great. It was great to see Abel Hernandez get another hour under his belt and he`s got himself another two goals, this time from the penalty spot. Then we see another wonderful goal from ‘snake hips` Harry Wilson. He sent their defence all ways and produced a great finish. He`s such an exciting player. The whole team performance, though, against a very good Norwich side was good. Our defensive shape was good, and the players worked their socks off. I`m really pleased for them.’
Questioned more about the penalty decisions on the day with four being awarded, he said of the two to them.
‘Their first one, where David Marshall came out to the edge of his box, the linesman has said four times that it happened outside the area. From the video footage I`ve seen, there didn`t look to be any contact with their player anyway and if there was it looked to be outside the area, so that didn`t go for us. Their second one, Ondrej made contact with the ball and then bundled the player to the floor so is that a penalty?’
Adding about our own.
‘Our first one, it was a great ball from Michael Dawson to Jarrod Bowen and he`s gone through and been taken down. I`ll be honest, I have no idea why the referee gave us our second penalty but it was a great finish from Abel!’
