Hull City have hit the jackpot with £1.5m deal - Coventry City evidence only confirms that | OneFootball

The Croatian has been Hull City's standout performer this season

It has been a frustrating 2024/25 campaign for those connected with Hull City, but there is one player within the ranks who has emerged with plenty of credit in the bank this term.

Ivor Pandur was signed from Fortuna Sittard for £1.5m in January 2024, and there was a clamour, almost straight away, from City supporters to see what the Croatian shot-stopper was made of, despite it being his first move to English football whilst the club were on the brink of the play-offs under former boss, Liam Rosenior.

The 25-year-old, through no fault of his own, then became part of one of many dramas to unfold at the MKM Stadium in the off-season, with owner, Acun Ilicali, revealing that part of Rosenior's dismissal was a disagreement over who was given the 'number one' spot in East Yorkshire, with the current RC Strasbourg boss opting to use the experience of Ryan Allsop, who is now Championship-bound once again after Birmingham City's League One-title winning season.

However, after being handed his official debut on the opening day of this season against Bristol City, the fee coughed up for Pandur's services 15 months ago is proving to be a bargain, and it is a scary thought for Tigers fans to imagine where the club would currently find themselves if it wasn't for his heroics between the sticks.

Coventry City evidence proves Hull City hit the jackpot with Ivor Pandur deal

Despite Tim Walter's disastrous reign, which lasted just 18 competitive games, the German does deserve some credit for giving the former Hellas Verona man his breakthrough in England, despite signing Anthony Racioppi from Young Boys and Carl Rushworth on loan from Brighton and Hove Albion - neither of which are currently at the club.

Whilst the former youth international has endured some mishaps, he has so often ensured that City still have the best defensive record in the bottom half of the second tier, regardless of the fact they are still only three points above the drop zone with four matches of the season to go.

That buffer was extended on Monday night with a 1-1 draw against Coventry City, with Ruben Selles and the rest of those in Black and Amber no doubt owing plenty of gratitude towards Pandur for a string of exceptional saves against one of the division's most lethal attacks as well as a highly-experienced and creative midfield.

Despite being left wrong-footed just a minute into the second period as Matt Grimes' strike deflected in off Charlie Hughes, Pandur prevented the Sky Blues from netting a further 1.23 goals as he denied Haji Wright from close range on three occasions, as well as thwarting Ellis Simms and preserving a point in the dying embers of the clash as Tatsuhiro Sakamoto looked to drill an effort into the top-right-hand corner.

Unsurprisingly, such an inspired performance led to the keeper being awarded Player of the Match by Sky Sports, as well as being named in the EFL's official Team of the Week.

Ivor Pandur heroics could preserve Hull City's second tier status

Those in the stands have become accustomed to plenty of vital saves from the Croatian across the season, in which he has featured in 40 of the 42 league outings.

As well as preserving a point after Abu Kamara's late equaliser against Frank Lampard's side, Pandur also denied Josh Windass and Dominic Iorfa of Sheffield Wednesday from close range in a recent 1-0 victory at Hillsborough, with the four points accumulated from those two games currently keeping Selles' men above water.

Hull's goalscoring woes have been laid bare for all to see, as they have scored just 41 times this season - an average of just under one goal per-game - and whilst that needs to change in the final four games which include vital showdowns against Derby County and Portsmouth, their shot-stopper will hope to have a big say in matters as the East Yorkshire side look to maintain their status in the second tier before moving forward in Selles' first full season in charge.