Hull City v QPR: 'Naivety' has hurt the Tigers in their Championship play-off pursuit, but Liam Rosenoir will not throw anyone 'under the bus'

In terms of forward play, the Tigers’ quality ranks with any side currently in the top six.

But a young group remains naive in terms of their decision-making - Wednesday’s draw with Middlesbrough being a case in point - and there’s a fair chance that will cost them in the final analysis.

Liam Rosenior remains a glass-half-full manager. Given Hull’s progress from relegation candidates in the first half of last season to top-six candidates in 2023-24, he is right to be. And one thing he will not do is throw any players ‘under the bus’, even if the main reason why City won’t make the play-offs will be themselves.

Rosenior, whose side have failed to see out several home games and are winless in East Yorkshire since February 3, said: “For me as manager, it’s really difficult. I want to give the people the truth and I feel like a broken record in saying the same things. So much is good and (but) for a little bit of naivety at times at key moments, we should have a lot more points.

"The only way you learn in life is through experience. You can be told something time and time again, but you learn through playing games.

"We’ve recruited a really exciting young group who I enjoy working with. You’ve to swallow the fact they are learning on the job. It’s something that happens.

"But I will never throw them under the bus as I love every single one of them and they have given me absolutely everything."

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While Hull’s race is not yet this season, the smart money suggests that they may have to learn from events and use it to ensure their time comes in 2024-25 when they should be better for the experience.

Rosenior added: “That’s the great thing and the bigger picture is that this club has accelerated its process so quickly in a short space of time.

"That’s not down to me, but everyone at the club from Acun (Ilicali) to the kitman and staff. There’s a real feel-good factor here and we need to build on it and make this club a real force for a long time to come.”