Clucas Instrumental in Hull's Blistering Premier League Return

Leicester City’s title win last season was deemed a fairytale to most and rightly so. The Foxes were one of the favourites to go down on the back of the appointment of Claudio Ranieri after the man who kept them up the previous campaign - Nigel Pearson - was sacked. Yet, as rank outsiders - they were, as has been well publicised, 5000/1 to win the Premier League - Leicester defied all odds to secure domestic glory. 

Their defence, however, got off on the wrong foot. Ranieri’s side travelled to Hull City on the opening day of the campaign, with many tipping Leicester to secure a comfortable win. Hull came into the campaign having failed to make any major summer signings, with one fit centre-back, without key midfielder Mo Diame, who was sold to Newcastle, and with just 13 senior players in the squad for the welcome of the champions. With Mike Phelan in caretaker charge, though, the Tigers sprung a huge upset and beat Leicester 2-1. 

Goals from Adama Diomande and Robert Snodgrass kicked off the Tigers’ return to the Premier League with victory. They then followed the win up with a hugely impressive performance at Swansea to make it two wins from two this term. With the 40-point mark the initial target, the Tigers are efficiently going about their business when many gave them little more than a snowball’s chance in hell of survival prior to the Premier League’s return. 

The stand out performer has been stand-in captain Curtis Davies, whose WhoScored rating (8.44) is among the best in England’s top tier this term. As an experienced Premier League defender, this comes as little shock, given his leadership qualities at the heart of the Hull defence. However, the surprise package perhaps comes in the form of Sam Clucas. The 25-year-old moved to Hull from Chesterfield a little over a year ago and took to the Championship like a duck to water. 

While he impressed in England’s second tier, many felt the step up to the Premier League would have been a bridge too far for Clucas, but he has since proven any doubters wrong. A WhoScored rating of 7.42 is a commendable return for the Englishman, whose form this term has earned him a fair few more admirers than he gained in the Championship. “Everyone is writing us off. I’ve seen Sky Sports News pundits saying we’ve got no chance after what’s happened but it’s become a motivational tool for us,” Clucas said following the 2-0 win at Swansea on Saturday. 

If there were a script to the campaign, then Hull certainly have not read it. Phelan’s side are one of four teams to win both matches so far this Premier League season and Clucas has come across a seasoned professional in the league rather than a player who has made just two appearances in England’s top tier in his career. What’s more, Clucas is playing in a less familiar central role having largely played out wide for Hull last season. True, he made five league appearances in the middle of the park during the Tigers’ Championship promotion success, so it’s hardly a role he is unfamiliar with, but he is better suited in a wide berth. 

Nevertheless, Clucas has readily adjusted his style to ensure Hull are not viewed as a team prepared to make up the numbers in England’s top tier. Eight tackles is one of the better returns so far, while five interceptions is a commendable figure. Not only that, but he is averaging the fourth most passes per game (46) of all Hull players and boasts the best pass success rate (88%) at the club this season. He is as capable of winning the ball back as he is at retaining possession, ensuring the Tigers are under as little pressure as possible. 

His tenacity allows for him to win the ball back as regularly as possible having won possession in the defensive third a notable 11 times already this season, the fourth highest return in the Premier League. Eight of those came in the win over Leicester, the third highest return in a single match this season. Any central midfielder needs to be able to provide a combative approach in the middle and defensive third and Clucas, despite being a winger by trade, is carrying out this duty with aplomb.

Leicester’s title winning campaign last season proved the underdog can never be counted out and the Tigers will have drawn inspiration from the Foxes’ victorious campaign. The team have fought hard to make it two wins from their first two matches, with Clucas one of the unheralded stars of the side.

What do you make of Clucas' start to life in the Premier League? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below