It looks like it will be another season involving a relegation battle for Hull City, who have managed just two wins so far. 

Nigel Adkins took over from Leonid Slutsky around Christmas time last year and steered Hull to an 18th placed finish in the Championship.

There was optimism around the camp that Hull could do better this time round and at least rise to mid-table, but it doesn't seem likely so far.

You can cut them some slack when you look at their recent fixtures, but it has not been good enough for Adkins' men.

They hover dangerously close to the relegation zone at this stage of the season, which is a major worry.

So, what is different about Hull from the rest of the relegation candidates? What will make them stand out and be safe come May?

Here, we look at THREE factors that could make or break Hull City's season...

To stay up, in any league, not just the Championship, you have to beat the sides around you. Leeds defeated Hull with ease on Tuesday night, but Adkins admitted after the match that Hull's season will not be defined by these games.

Indeed, so far, when Hull have won, it has been against teams around them - Rotherham and Ipswich.

In the next month, Hull play a few teams in the bottom six or seven, so a couple of wins would be great for their confidence.

Still only 21, Jarrod Bowen is looking like Hull's most exciting player this season.

So far this season, Bowen has scored three goals, but has contributed to the play in much more than the goal department.

Speaking to any Hull fan, they will tell you that keeping Bowen in top form is crucial to their season. Scoring goals hasn't been the biggest problem at Hull this season, it has been stopping them. So far, they have conceded 18 goals in 11 games - only Preston have a worse rate in the Championship.

The back four is made up of a youthful Reece Burke and Stephen Kingsley, whilst Eric Lichaj and Tommy Elphick are not the most trustworthy defenders in the world.

Nigel Adkins will have to put his defence right if Hull are to stay up this season.