Rovers have yet to collect a point this season but will hope their luck changes this afternoon
Valerien Ismael says his Blackburn Rovers side will arrive at the MKM Stadium on Saturday lunchtime determined to fight for their first points of the season against Hull City.
Rovers sit 21st in the Championship and are without a point from their opening two games, having lost narrowly at West Brom on the opening day before conceding twice late on to lose 2-1 at home to Birmingham City last time out and were knocked out of the Carabao Cup by League One newcomers Bradford City.
The Lancashire club has also seen skipper Lewis Travis, a former City target, quit the club to join former boss John Eustace at Derby County amid a summer of more frustration from Ewood Park supporters, though they will have former Tigers Sean McLouglin in their ranks.
City meanwhile, have begun the season brightly with a creditable draw at Coventry City on opening day before winning a five-goal thriller against Oxford United on Sunday, to claim their first home win of the season at the first attempt.
The Frenchman admits he’s been impressed by the start made by Sergej Jakirovic’s side, but is determined to get off the park in East Yorkshire.
“They’ve started the season well,” the Rovers boss said on the eve of the lunchtime MKM Stadium meeting. “The Championship is tough, and you have to earn your points in every game. It’s a new chance to fight for the three points, and this is what we will do.
“We want to start our season and get the points to get that confidence. It’s always a good feeling when you win, but it’s not that easy, we know that, but we will keep working to get the results we want.”
While Rovers will be without skipper Travis following his departure, right-back Ryan Alebiosu will be available despite leaving the Ewood Park pitch on a stretcher last weekend. Hayden Carter is nearing a return but is unlikely to be considered for the clash with the Tigers.
“We’re looking good at the minute with no injuries and everyone’s fit from last week,” Ismael continued. “I was worried about Ryan last week as it looked really bad, so I was surprised to see him standing next to me at the final whistle.
“Thankfully, it’s not that bad, it was just a feeling he had when he got the hit, so it’s good news for us that he’s ready to go. Hayden Carter has come back from injury and has trained with the squad for the full week.”
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