Dressing room's morale makes it a happy place to be

HUGHES SAYS WHAT'S KEY TO CITY'S START

- By BARRY COOPER

Hull City's Charlie Hughes

(GREIG COWIE/ SHUTTERSTOCK)

CHARLIE Hughes believes the morale in the Hull City dressing room has been a fundamental reason why the Tigers have enjoyed what he describes as a 'strong' start to the new campaign.

City are fifth in the Championship after beating Portsmouth before the international break, form which saw Sergej Jakirovic nominated for October's Manager of the Month.

And though the Croatian boss missed out to Coventry's Frank Lampard, it was a sign of just what incredible progress City have made since last season's struggles, and Hughes says just looking at the table now puts a smile on everybody's face.

"It's been a very strong start for us," the star defender told the Mail.