City will return after the final break of the season with two big games over a pivotal Easter weekend
Sergej Jakirovic is going to have a restful week(Image: Greig Cowie/Shutterstock)
Hull City head coach Sergej Jakirovic will send his players off into the international break determined to give them so valuable rest ahead of the final seven games.
City went into the final break of the season with a crucial 3-1 victory over Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday, which saw the Tigers notch a 20th win of an impressive campaign.
They sit fifth in the Championship, five points off second place and three clear of Wrexham in seventh, after they recorded an impressive win at Sheffield United.
Since the back end of November, City’s injury hit squad has played 26 games, and it’s taken its toll. In a bid to have a positive final seven games, and what the Tigers hope will turn into 10, the boss doesn’t want to see his players for a full week until they return ready to prepare for two games over the Easter weekend at Oxford United and then at home to Coventry City.
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Not all players will have the benefit of being given time off to go on holiday, or simply enjoy time away from football. No fewer than eight members of the Tigers’ first team squad will be on international duty, with the likes of Amir Hadziahmetovic, Paddy McNair and Lewis Koumas all involved in crucial World Cup qualifying play-offs.
For everybody else, though, it presents a welcome chance to rest up before what promises to be a thrilling climax to what has been a fine season for the Tigers.
Jakirovic himself will return to Croatia to spend time with his family, and others will be making the most of the break, with them jetting off to various places ahead of the crucial run-in.
“They will have the whole week off,” the Croatian told Hull Live. “I don’t want to see anybody for one week. They (the players) will have a program to do some sessions at home, and then they will come back on the following Monday.
“I think it’s very important because it’s not normal that we are playing (so many games). Since 22nd November, we have played 26 games, so thank you very much. I think it’s a lot. It’s a lot without any break, without anything, especially when you play Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday all the time.
“We will use this period to relax, both mentally and physically and recover well. I also hope that our players come back from international duty healthy, and then we have seven games, so we must be ready.”
While he might aim to rest and recover, Jakirovic’s love of football means he will still be acutely aware of what’s going on, and will be watching games throughout the international break, both involving his players and those that do not. “I never switch off from football, I’m always watching,” added the Croatian.
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