Hull City Fan View: Patience has paid-off for Tigers fans' favourite Jakupovic

During his five year spell at Hull City, the Tigers’ current number one Eldin Jakupovic has had to be very patient. In four and a half seasons at the KCOM, quite remarkably, the Bosnian-born Swiss goalkeeper, who has one international cap to his name, has only made 20 league appearances for City.

Now, in a classic footballing twist of fate, the once unfancied ‘keeper could be the key to keeping Hull City in the Premier League this season.

For much of his five year stay on Humberside, Eldin Jakupovic has been an enigma for Hull City fans. Brought in by Steve Bruce in the summer of 2012, having reportedly already agreed to sign for the Tigers during Nick Barmby’s brief reign at the KCOM, it was clear that the former Lokomotiv Moscow man was not to be the club’s number one during the 2012/13 Championship promotion season, with both Ben Amos and David Stockdale being shipped in on loan as first choice goalkeepers. Quite incredibly, after the fine form he has shown this season, Jakupovic looked poor when given his chance during this successful promotion campaign, memorably dropping Miguel Llera’s corner into his own net against Sheffield Wednesday at the KCOM, and having to be stretched-off with what the fans at the time labelled a ‘humiliation-induced’ injury.

The following season could well have been Jakupovic’s last as a City player, as Bruce bolstered his squad with two new goalkeepers ahead of the club’s return to the Premier League. Former Rangers man Allan McGregor was made first choice, while Newcastle legend Steve Harper was brought in as his number two, relegating Jakupovic to third choice just one year after signing for the Tigers.

This is where Jakupovic remained for two seasons, only making the odd League and FA Cup appearance sporadically, as well as a brief loan spell with Leyton Orient in 2014, as he drifted out of the Hull City faithful’s consciousness altogether. However, last season saw a turning point in Jakupovic’s career and the birth of a new fans’ favourite at the KCOM. Many City supporters were anxious to see the former Swiss international start in City’s fifth round FA Cup tie against Arsenal at the Emirates in February of last year, with memories of the weedy-looking, nervous ‘keeper stretched-off against Wednesday three years previously, flooding back into memory.

However, to everyone’s amazement, ‘the Jak’ produced what must surely be considered one of the finest goalkeeping performances from a Hull City goalkeeper in recent memory, as the Tigers took the tie back to the KCOM with a 0-0 draw. In what is one of my favourite lines from a Hull City match report ever, Amy Lawrence of The Observer wrote of Jakupovic’s performance, “Jakupovic performed heroically… [he] was outstanding with a string of saves that ranged from the solid to the spectacular. Every Arsenal outfield player in front of their defence had a presentable chance. A combination of Arsenal’s accuracy and Hull’s rearguard action kept this goalless”.

A serious back injury to Hull City’s number one goalkeeper, Allan McGregor, during the second half of last season gave Jakupovic his shot at the first team, and he took it with both hands (excuse the pun). Improving beyond belief, and adapting to the rough and tumble of the English game may have taken him three years, but his flamboyant performances, mixed with his clear passion and desire to succeed, soon made Jakupovic a fans’ favourite. He cemented this honour for good after a fine performance in last season’s Championship Play-Off Final win, ironically against Sheffield Wednesday, in which he made a number of fine saves from the likes of Forestieri and Hooper to see City promoted back to the Premier League.

Despite currently being Marco Silva’s undisputed number one, this season has also seen the 32-year-old have to fight for his place. With McGregor still injured and Hull City possessing the smallest squad in the Premier league at the beginning of the season, Jakupovic started the season as Mike Phelan’s first choice, performing admirably during the side’s opening two wins against Leicester and Swansea. However, the signing of Cardiff’s David Marshall during the final few days of the summer transfer window soon saw Jakupovic back on the bench, to the annoyance of many Hull City fans.

Regardless of a string of poor displays between the sticks from new-boy Marshall, Phelan stuck by his man, fuelling rumours that the popular Jakupovic may even be sold in January. However, since Mike Phelan’s sacking at the start of the month, Jakupovic has been a virtual ever-present in Silva’s starting XI, producing performance after performance, and being an essential part of Hull City’s recent revival.

A stunning display, comparable only with Boaz Myhill’s famous performance against Spurs in 2010, during the Tigers’ impressive 0-0 draw at Old Trafford, followed by another clean-sheet and victory against Liverpool on Saturday has surely cemented Jakupovic as Silva’s first choice goalkeeper for the rest of the season as Hull City look to avoid the Premier League trap door.

In an industry which now-a-days sees both players and managers alike not given any time to adapt or improve, the case of Jakupovic’s Hull City career is refreshing. From a third choice ‘zero’ just three seasons ago, to an essential first team ‘hero’ now, Eldin Jakupovic’s patience, fight and determination is a rare breath of fresh air at my basket case of a club, and for the passion he has shown to Hull City over the last few years, Jakupovic deserves all the plaudits he is currently receiving. Long may it continue!