Breaking News: Hull City will face Leeds United for the first time before their match at Elland Road as they welcome back their best seasoned player to the team.

There’s more positive recognition for the Tigers

Hull City’s difficulties at home were once again apparent on Tuesday night after being held to a 1-1 draw by struggling Birmingham City at the MKM Stadium.

For the third game in a row, City were forced to settle for a point, and while their unbeaten run has been extended to six games, this felt like a defeat.

Of course, it’s another point and that is something Liam Rosenior will point towards, but make no mistake about it, it’s two points dropped and it could be costly in the race for a top six place.

Same old problems

You can have all the ball in the world, you can dominate as much as you want, create half-decent openings, but if you don’t put the ball in the net, you won’t win games of football. In that sense, football is dead simple. Yes, City are in a brilliant position, but with the quality at their disposal, it should be better. This was another example of Liam Rosenior’s team at home playing within themselves and not releasing the handbrake and putting those chances away.

For much of the game they played well, Rosenior’s side played some terrific football and had Birmingham pinned back, but that crucial second goal never came. Had it have come at any point before the equaliser, we’re all coming away eulogising over what a fine performance and result it was, such are the fine margins in this game at this level.

How damaging this result will be, well only time will tell. Right now, it feels crucial. Beat Leicester on Saturday and suddenly everything will feel better, but the problems we’ve watched in front of our eyes this evening have once again been evident throughout the campaign.

Home troubles

This 1-1 draw means it’s now three wins from nine league games in front of their own supporters, and if you throw in the 1-1 draw against Birmingham in the FA Cup back in January, it’s 10.

Something has to change. That form has to be turned on its head. City do not win enough games at home, and they’re not scoring enough at home to put teams to bed.

So dominant were they for long periods, it was almost embarrassing but you always felt nervous, particularly when Mark Venus made the changes he did. If you don’t kill teams off, you’re always at risk and so it proved. Birmingham deserved something for simply sticking in the game and taking their chance when it came.