Promoted sides turn to pragmatic football in the Premier League

The approach of newly promoted teams in the Premier League is changing. In previous seasons, some promoted clubs were managed by coaches who refused to compromise on their style of play. This season, those who adapt are standing out.

Sergej Jakirovic (Hull City), Gary O'Neil (Ipswich Town) and Frank Lampard (Coventry City) are following a pragmatic line. Despite disappointing results at the weekend, this choice has worked for their teams. After seven games, the three clubs have collected a combined 24 points. This is the highest total a promoted trio has reached at this stage since the 2016/17 season.

The signs of the shift were visible last season. Daniel Farke kept Leeds United in the league, while Regis Le Bris took Sunderland into Europe. Both abandoned their Championship approach and moved to a harder, counter-attacking style of play. As a result, two promoted teams avoided relegation. In the previous two seasons, by contrast, all three promoted teams had gone back down.

The sample is still small, but the data shows a similar path being followed. Hull, Ipswich and Coventry have the lowest average possession in the league. Hull and Coventry are among those with the lowest pass accuracy. The goalkeepers of all three teams are also in the top four for number of long balls.