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Hull City boss Ruben Selles heaped the praise on his players for the task they underwent as survival was sealed against Portsmouth.
Hull City drew with Portsmouth on the final day of the 2024/25 Championship season, meaning that the Tigers sealed survival after Luton Town’s defeat to West Brom.
Survival in the Championship was left last minute for Hull City, and they had to go through a nervy second half, knowing that a goal conceded would likely seal the Tigers’ feat in League One, but a fine defensive display contributed to Ruben Selles’ side picking up the point they needed at Fratton Park.
Following the game, there are now murmurs over Selles’ future at Hull City, with Acun Ilicali considering the Portuguese boss’s future at the club, a rather interesting update considering the fact that he has kept the club in the Championship. Nonetheless, Selles has still been full of praise of his Hull side that completed the job required on the final day.
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Hull City boss Ruben Selles praises players after ‘very difficult’ Portsmouth tie
It was always going to be a difficult task for Hull City to come out with a result against Portsmouth at Fratton Park, a place where they have been unstoppable at times during the 2024/25 Championship campaign.
Tigers boss Selles was certainly reflective of the task that his side completed against Pompey, handing them deserved praise for such a performance.
“It’s always very difficult to come here and play against Portsmouth,” said Selles via Hull Daily Mail.
“We obviously wanted to get the three points, because that way we didn’t need to think about anything else. After we conceded that goal we made one step backwards and it is very difficult with the emotion of the day.
“We knew towards the end with the other results that one point would be enough so we made the decision to try to defend. Everyone was fully invested in the task.”
Despite Portsmouth notching the majority of possession at Fratton Park, whilst also managing two big chances in the tie, Hull sat tight and defended vigliently.
Hull defensive record has undoubtedly been the difference this season
There is no doubt that Hull’s lack of intent in front of goal this season has played a significant role in the club being involved in a relegation scrap in the first place, but the thing that got them out of it was the defence.
The last time Hull City conceded two or more in one game was a defeat to Coventry City back in December, a sign that Selles was able to significantly improve his side’s defensive capabilities, something that turned out to be crucial on the final day as his side hung on away against Portsmouth.
Conceding 15 fewer than Luton Town also played its part in the Tigers finishing above the Hatters on goal difference.
It is clear what is needed to be improved in this Hull side; they conceded fewer goals than play-off finishers Coventry City and Bristol City, but scored the least in the entire league.