Make no mistake about it, watching Hull City at the MKM Stadium in recent seasons has largely been a chore, and anything but a pleasurable experience for those match-going supporters.

City's form at The Circle has been a major reason why they've largely battled against relegation since returning to the Championship, and was arguably the contributing factor to them missing out on the play-offs last term.

A quick scan of the form table shows City remain firmly planted at the bottom of the table when it comes to home results this season. But Monday afternoon's victory over Preston North End made it five wins this term. Still a pitiful effort, but things have gradually started to move in the right direction. Turning around a ship the size of City was never going to be a quick manoeuvre.

Their one defeat in the last six at home did come against Luton Town, and that was inherently damaging, of course, but they've beaten Plymouth Argyle, Oxford United, and now North End, whilst claiming draws with Norwich City and Coventry City. If you go back a little further, there was that pulsating 3-3 draw with Leeds United four days into the New Year. Twenty-three of their 48 points have come at home, a record which also reads eight draws and nine defeats.

Of course, it's baby steps. Ruben Selles has now overseen four home wins as head coach, and on Saturday, he has the chance to make it five, and in the process, ensure City will kick off the new campaign in August a Championship club.

Playing at the MKM Stadium this season has often been a nightmare for City's players, but the visit of Derby County this weekend presents them with a major opportunity to banish the demons that have blighted this season and send them and their supporters into the summer feeling better after a lap of appreciation where they're clapped off to the sounds of Status Quo rocking in their ears and a sell-out crowd roaring them on.

Naturally, there will still be that air of trepidation when the new campaign kicks off, with a nervousness abound until City's new-look side for the 2025/26 campaign gets that first home win under their belt, but if they can see off the Rams, then a little cloud will have been lifted and their record will read four wins in their final six. Progress. Significant progress and reason for cautious optimism.

Staying in this league is not an achievement the club will look back on fondly, compared to Wembley promotions and FA Cup finals. But in isolation, staving off the threat of relegation from where City were when Selles took charge in December should still be cherished, and that's the opportunity facing them in a couple of days.

City haven't won a final home game of the season since returning to the second tier as League One champions - their last three have all ended in draws against Nottingham Forest, Watford, and Ipswich Town, so there's a record to flip on its head, as is the chance to finally win two games in a row under Selles at the final opportunity after 36 without.

Those previous three all had their respective significance, especially the one last term which effectively ruled out a play-off place, but given where City are now, fighting for survival, the importance of claiming three points this weekend is absolutely paramount, because it would seal their safety.

Perhaps it might just lift the sense of doom and gloom many supporters feel when they take their seats before a ball has been kicked inside the arena. Small steps can lead to bigger things.

Come on, City, this is your chance.