Four games to light the MKM Stadium blue touch paper for Hull City boss Shota Arveladze

When Hull City beat Swansea City 2-0 at the MKM Stadium on January 29, Shota Arveladze must have thought managing in the Championship was a breeze, wondering what all the fuss was about. That was the Georgian’s first game in charge of the Tigers and came on the back of successive wins against Blackburn Rovers – at home – and Bournemouth away, both of whom were at the top end of the division and going well.

City, by comparison, were at the opposite end of the table and facing a nervous end to the campaign hoping they could scrap and fight their way to survival building on a rare commodity in recent Championship seasons – back-to-back home wins. Since that January afternoon, results at the MKM Stadium have gone downhill in drastic fashion with last Saturday’s 3-1 home defeat to Luton Town the fifth on the spin, and but for a stoppage-time goal from Tom Eaves, it would have been the fifth without even managing to score a goal.

The fact that Eaves was able to break that run has probably saved City from more scathing criticism because to go five games in front of your own fans is diabolical, whichever way you dress it up – and it has been. Off the pitch, new owner Acun Ilicali and the staff behind the scenes have worked hard to gradually increase attendances, games against Barnsley and Luton both reached and surpassed the biggest crowds seen at the MKM for a decent amount of time, yet the players failed to deliver and for those fans hoping to be tempted back by winning football, would have gone home disappointed.

The two-week international break has given City a much-needed break, a chance to reset themselves, according to Arveladze, and give him the most concise amount of time on the training pitch he’s had in his short time