Freddie Woodman’s Earnings at Liverpool as QPR Encouraged to Finalize Transfer

Freddie Woodman would become one of the top earners at QPR if the Championship side did make a move to sign the Liverpool keeper.

This article is part of Football League World's ‘Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Despite a heavy defeat to Middlesbrough, Hull City remain firmly in contention for promotion back to the Premier League.

After battling for survival under Ruben Selles last season, optimism was low when Sergej Jakirovic was appointed. However, the Tigers have found their form under his leadership, competing near the top of the table.

The start was rocky, with just one win in the first five league matches, but a resurgence followed with only one defeat in nine games from mid-September to early November.

While Hull has faced some recent difficulties with four losses in six games, expectations remain high for a turnaround as they hover near the top six.

Even with the current inconsistency, Jakirovic's impact has been significant, inspiring dreams of a Premier League return for the first time since 2017.

With successful managers in the Championship often attracting attention from Premier League clubs, concerns linger that Jakirovic might be tempted to move on, especially given his brief tenures at previous clubs.

Meanwhile, FLW’s Hull City fan pundit has shared insights on the likelihood of the 48-year-old taking a Premier League position this season.

Sergej Jakirovic trend a concern to Hull City over long-term Tigers future

Speaking to Football League World, Hull City fan pundit Cameron Gibson expressed that he wouldn't be shocked to see Sergej Jakirovic linked with a Premier League job, yet he hopes the Bosnian will remain loyal and stay at the MKM Stadium for the long haul.

Cameron said: “As Hull City fans, we always have that thought at the back of our minds because we’re not one of the biggest clubs. However, we are a significant club with a history in the Premier League, and if Sergej wants to reach that level, he knows he can achieve it with us.”

“If a Premier League role opens up, I wouldn't be surprised to see him in contention. However, I believe he'll complete this season. His managerial history shows he hasn't typically stayed longer than one or two seasons, so I hope he can break that trend with Hull City.”

“He has surpassed expectations, significantly overachieving from what I anticipated at the season's start. I was hoping we would secure him on a long-term deal during the last international break, but that hasn't transpired yet.”

“From what I gather, he doesn't seem keen on leaving. He appreciates the squad he's assembling and, after this season, will have financial resources to invest in the transfer market, whether in the Championship or potentially the Premier League.”

“However, if a team like Brentford, Burnley, or Leeds were to part ways with their manager, they would likely need to offer a substantial amount to secure him. Even then, I don't believe it would be advisable to let him go; he has made such a fantastic impact on our club and team that we should do whatever it takes to keep him.”

“We took a chance on him when others didn’t. At the beginning of the season, very few in the Championship had heard of him, yet we gave him the opportunity, so hopefully, he remains loyal.”

In the Championship, the brutal reality is that managers and players often aspire to progress to higher divisions, regardless of their tenure at their current club.

A pertinent example this season has been Middlesbrough managing the exit of Rob Edwards to Wolves, a move seen as questionable given Wolves' precarious position in the Premier League, while Boro has a strong chance of gaining promotion.

The allure of the top tier and the opportunity for success there is hard to resist, so Hull fans must remain vigilant if they find themselves at the top of the table in the coming weeks.

While it is hoped that Jakirovic will demonstrate loyalty to the club that offered him his first opportunity in England, supporters should be prepared for his potential departure, considering his previous short managerial stints and the ambition many hold for managing in elite leagues.

For now, Hull fans should embrace the excitement of being in the promotion race and deal with discussions about Jakirovic's future when they arise.