Hull City: Cody Drameh is already facing a tricky issue: View | OneFootball

Lewie Coyle has been the most consistent performer in Black and Amber so far this season

Tim Walter has had a number of tricky decisions to ponder so far in the infancy of his tenure with Hull City, but one of those hasn't come in the right-back department.

The Tigers have been blessed with a number of exceptional right-backs in recent times, ranging from the likes of Sam Ricketts, former boss Liam Rosenior, Moses Odubajo and now, Lewie Coyle.

Coyle has been a part of a defensive structure which, for the most part, has largely remained unchanged since Hull's solitary season in League One three years ago, with him, Alfie Jones, Sean McLoughlin and Jacob Greaves - who has since aclimatised well to Premier League life with Ipswich Town - all featuring regularly in the Championship since the title-winning season of 2020/21.

And, whilst the Hull-born defender hasn't exactly been immune from criticism during said timeframe, Coyle's performances so far in what has been an indifferent start to the season as a collective, have shone through, which if anything, leaves a bigger issue for summer signing Cody Drameh instead of the new German head coach.

Lewie Coyle continues to impress for Hull City

The full-back has been the beating heart of the Hull squad in recent years, aided by his family connections to the City as a whole, but the former Leeds United man has proven the doubters wrong consistently, making over 100 second tier appearances with his hometown club whilst also bearing the captain's armband.

During the second of those seasons, former promotion-winner Cyrus Christie was added to the ranks and offered Shota Arveladze and latterly, Rosenior, two vastly-experienced names in this area of the squad, as well as differing profiles.

But, what sets Coyle aside from a number of counterparts is his dependability, which was proven in bucket loads by his brother, former Boxer, Tommy, who admitted that in what was his 100th appearance in total for the club, and 41st of the 2022/23 campaign, that Lewie had played through a rib injury for the final three months of the season, before going on to sign a new contract.

And, after being as solid as ever last season, with only two errors leading to an opposition attempt, Coyle has built further on such form at the start of this campaign.

The 28-year-old leads the way in terms of City's average ratings with a number of 7.73 - also the third-highest in the Championship - as well as featuring sixth across the division for tackles per game with 3.8, bringing his warrior-like spirit to the fore once again.

City fans have also grown accustomed to the occasional high-quality finish from one of their own, and that proved to be the case in the 1-1 draw with Plymouth Argyle on August 17th, as Coyle netted the club's only finish from open play so far this season with a magnificent curling strike to level at Home Park, which played a key role in winning the club's Player of the Month award.

Lewie Coyle's form presents Cody Drameh with potential issue

Of course, the aforementioned Drameh's move across Yorkshire after leaving Elland Road gives Walter two high-quality options to choose from, with the 22-year-old previously impressing for Cardiff City, Luton Town and Birmingham City at this level.

However, through no real fault of his own having impressed during pre-season as a driving force from deep on the right flank, as well as a potentially creative outlet, Drameh has failed to oust his colleague so far this season, with his two appearances against Millwall and Leeds coming off the bench - averaging just 15 minutes per game in the meantime.

The club clearly have faith in the former Fulham man to follow Coyle's trajectory and become a staple of their defensive ranks, having signed a three-year deal in the summer, with the option of a fourth should the opportunity arise.

Nine assists across his previous loan spells at this level show what the new signing is capable of, and there's no doubt that he will continue to show such ability when called upon across the season, especially when games are coming at a thick-and-fast pace in the winter months.

But for now, Coyle has once again risen to the challenge of strong competition in his area of expertise, and whilst Drameh is also an adequate option at left-back, the man six years the captain's senior may find it tricky to make his first competitive start in Black and Amber, should his counterpart continue his exceptional form.