Hull City head coach Sergej Jakirovic has warned his players that they must be at their very best to get anything from Fulham on Saturday afternoon.
City will arrive at Craven Cottage looking to maintain their fine start to life back in the Premier League, against a Cottagers side that is bottom of the table, and without a win so far.
New boss Alvaro Arbeloa is under mounting pressure, with media reports this week suggesting his next two games against the Tigers and Coventry City could well determine whether or not he will be allowed to keep his job, having already been beaten by newly-promoted opposition.
Despite their poor start, the Cottagers were winning against Manchester United at home before the international break, before succumbing to a late equaliser. They then led late at Ipswich Town last weekend, only to lose 2-1. Of their three home games thus far, they’ve lost 3-2 against both Chelsea and Crystal Palace, along with that draw against the Red Devils.
Jakirovic, though, knows that after slow starts at Stamford Bridge and St James’ Park, his City side must treat the game, and their opponents, with the respect they deserve.
“It’s a tough game, a difficult game, because when I watched Fulham, they could have had many more points, a little bit unlucky with some games,” the City boss mused.
“This is a warning for us that we have to be very, very good there. Every head coach is under pressure, but we have to play a good game. We have to have good energy, especially because they have a lot of young players, potential players, quick players, and in the last third, they’re very good. They’re creating a lot of chances, so we have to be at our maximum.”
Given their respective starts to the new season, some have suggested the East Yorkshire side are favourites ahead of the 3pm kick-off on the banks of the Thames, but Jakirovic is not buying into that narrative.
“No, I would not say that we are favourites in this game, no, but we can play fifty-fifty games here, why not? We have our qualities; we have already shown that we can compete. We have our tactical plan, so we will try to use this, use the momentum also, because they will be under pressure, but as I said, we have to be on a high level.”
While the City boss will have to make a change in his defence with Nobel Mendy out with a groin injury, arguably, his most fascinating decision comes further up the pitch.
Joe Gelhardt replaced Mo Belloumi against Everton, and marked his first Premier League start for the Tigers with the opening goal, while Belloumi then came on for the Algerian in the second half and netted the equaliser. Belloumi has been City’s most potent attacking threat so far, but what will he do?
“Who is in the best form, and also we have Plan B,” he said when asked about what his thought process will be. “Of course, it’s better because we have options. Competition is everything. You cannot be relaxed there. You have to fight for your opposition for your minutes.”
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