Hull City: Sergej Jakirovic could unearth Jarrod Bowen 2.0 | OneFootball

Pharrell Brown has made an impression on supporters in pre-season thus far

Plenty of talk surrounding Sergej Jakirovic's first weeks as head coach of Hull City has focused on the off-pitch uncertainty regarding the club's financial situation and potential punishments.

Amid the aforementioned chaos at the East Yorkshire club, the 48-year-old has already made a strong impression on supporters, regardless of the fact that they are so often told to take pre-season circumstances with a pinch of salt, normally described as a period in which building up fitness is 'king' above all else.

What it has enabled the Croatian to do is integrate several youngsters - who could come in handy as a result of potential limitations - into the first-team picture during behind-closed-doors encounters against Lincoln City and Grimsby Town, as well as recent victories against Istanbulspor and Kasimpasa.

19-year-old winger, Pharrell Brown, has been one of those, and after catching the eye in the past week or so, Jakirovic will hope to emulate the success stories of Jarrod Bowen and Keane Lewis-Potter with the Manchester-born prospect.

Brown signed for the Tigers last August, joining from League Two outfit Fleetwood Town for an undisclosed fee, with his potential also echoed by spending his prior years progressing through the youth ranks of Manchester United.

The wideman has played just 64 minutes of senior football thus far, before netting twice for Hull's Under-21's last season in the Premier League Cup, and has taken the opportunity to impress the new City boss with both hands thus far.

Brown scored an exquisite winner against Istanbulspor last Tuesday, before supplying fellow young forward, Tyrell Sellars-Fleming for the winner against Kasimpasa on Saturday, with the Süper Lig outfit ironically under the management of former City head coach, Shota Arveladze.

Post-match, he spoke about the difference in intensity between a senior pre-season outing and Under-21's football, whilst Jakirovic made reference to a England international and UEFA Champions League winner, which would only boost Brown's confidence further.

"I didn't know at all that he's there. His nickname, I call him (John) Stones from Manchester City because he understands football very well. They're trying. I said last time that it's a very big opportunity for them. You never know who will jump out," he said via Hull Live.

"Yes, I love that very, very much (that Brown is direct and takes his man on). This is not my style of football all the time, it's modern football because if we do everything to give you isolation one against one on the wings, you have the ability to go one against one, you need to risk every time, and you are allowed to lose every ball.

"Yes, of course, he has given me something to think about. He has proved it in every game, every training session; he proved that he can do it. For me, this is most important. It doesn't matter what your name is, what matters is what you're showing on the pitch," Jakirovic stated.

Sergej Jakirovic could have secret Hull City weapon in Pharrell Brown

Many have tipped City for a season of struggle, having survived relegation by virtue of goal difference under Tim Walter and Ruben Selles last term. Whilst uncertainty hangs over the boardroom, Jakirovic has clearly fostered a positive atmosphere among the current players, regardless of the fact exit talk continues to rumble on in the background.

Availability and productivity from wide areas was also a negative point last season, with Abu Kamara's form improving as the season drew to a close after initial periods of inconsistency, whilst Liam Millar and Mohamed Belloumi were both sidelined with long-term ACL injuries.

Whilst the aforementioned duo showcased strong moments of quality in a limited sample size, it remains to be seen whether they can immediately reach the same heights when fully fit, whilst Kamara has also been linked with a potential move to Rangers.

Of course, Jakirovic will be aware not to pin all his hopes on a raw 19-year-old with next-to-no experience of senior football, never mind in the Championship. However, he can be utilised as a 'secret weapon' as such, particularly as a substitute option with his direct nature, which is exactly how Bowen and Lewis-Potter burst onto the scene as unknown gems, both now flourishing in the Premier League for West Ham and Brentford respectively.