The Tigers face the Owls at Hillsborough in a big Boxing Day Yorkshire showdown
Hull City will take nothing for granted when they look to cement their place inside the Championship play-offs at Sheffield Wednesday on Boxing Day.
Boss Sergej Jakirovic says he will treat the stricken Owls with the same respect and focus as if City were preparing to face leaders Coventry City, despite Wednesday being bottom of the table with just one win this season.
The Owls have not yet won at Hillsborough, but with a packed home crowd desperate for some crumbs of comfort amid what has been a desperate campaign, on and off the pitch, Jakirovic understands what a dangerous animal they could be amid the potential for an upset and significant embarrassment and damage to their play-off hopes.
“We will prepare as we do before every game with one hundred per cent focus, concentration, and tactical plan,” the Tigers boss told Hull Live. “We have to show good energy, intensity and try to win the game.
“It will not be easy because I see the crowd of Sheffield Wednesday. They still support the team and want to help the club as well, so it will be full for sure. You have to maintain good form and continue like this.
“Approaching the game, we must have a one-hundred per cent attitude on the pitch, everything. We have to treat it like we are playing against Coventry; for example, there is no difference. For me, every game is very important. The next game for sure, and also, you can take three points, so it’s very, very important.”
The trip to the Steel City, which sees City backed by a sold-out away following of just under 4,000, kicks off a manic run of four games in 10 days, with Middlesbrough, Stoke City and Watford to follow.
Given the Tigers’ squad has been hampered by injuries throughout the campaign, and the likes of Mo Belloumi, Liam Millar and Oli McBurnie all coming back from long spells out, Jakirovic says rotation throughout his group will be important.
“Yes, it will be very interesting, and it’s good that we have a lot of players in positions,” he continued. “We have to rotate in these four games for sure because we are playing almost every three days. The players know that, and they will get a chance to perform.
“We will be careful. We have (David) Akintola, we have Joel Ndala, Enis Destan, and we have Kyle Joseph. Also, we have Darko (Gyabi) in the midfield, so we will see what will happen with Lunny (John Lundstram) in the next two days. We have almost two players in every position, so it’s good to know, and it’s a good option for us for sure.”
Boxing Day will be Jakirovic’s first taste of festive football in England, and though he’s watched games on television for years, he’s excited about experiencing the extra buzz that goes with games at this time of year.
“I don’t feel it’s December, it’s like October,” the Croatian continued. “Christmas is coming, but OK. We are professionals, it’s our job. It’s traditional in England, and everyone is looking forward.
“We are happy, of course, Christmas, we will be together with our family, and then on the 26th, we start again. I’m looking forward to it. I’m very pleased because we are in fourth place, and also, it’s my first experience, so I’m very excited about this.
“Every game it’s almost full stadiums. I think the same atmosphere, but a little maybe different with the (Santa) hats and everything. It’s Christmas, everyone will be happy for sure, and then it depends on the result, but it’s just football, so we have to enjoy.”
Here at Hull Live , we are dedicated to bringing you the best Hull City coverage and analysis. Make sure you don’t miss out on the latest City news by joining our free WhatsApp group.
You can get all the breaking news and best analysis sent straight to your phone by clicking here to subscribe. You can also subscribe to our free newsletter service.
Click here to be sent all the day’s biggest stories.