The Tigers put their unbeaten record on the line once more this weekend
Sergej Jakirovic, Manager of Hull City looks on(Image: Getty Images)
Sergej Jakirovic is expecting to see a reaction from Newcastle United this afternoon as Hull City prepare for the challenge of the Magpies.
The Tigers travel to Tyneside with bags of confidence after claiming an unlikely point at Chelsea last week and they’ll put their unbeaten record on the line once more against Matthias Jaissle’s side, who will be reeling from Monday’s defeat at Leeds.
Newcastle weren’t just beaten, they were thrashed by Leeds, who won 4-1 at Elland Road, and the Whites played with a style that will be familiar to fans of City. Leeds played with a resolute and solid back three, with advancing wing backs and a strong and physical front man that kept the Newcastle backline occupied and created opportunities.
Given City would have been planning to go to St James’ Park and set up in a very similar way, Jakirovic, who was at Elland Road on Monday night, will have taken plenty of confidence from what he saw.
However, the Croatian also expects to see Newcastle produce a reaction in front of their own supporters as they strive to bounce back against the newly promoted outfit.
“We will try to still be unbeaten but I’m expecting a very tough game, especially after Newcastle defeat in Leeds,” Jakirovic said. “It will be a very demanding game for us.
“We know we must have good energy to be compact, solid and aggressive in the challenges and if you win the first or second ball, mostly you will be good.
“I know my colleague Jaissle from Salzburg, this is the Red Bull style. There’s a lot of man-marking and pressing there. Also, a reaction after losing the ball is very aggressive, they like to run so it will be very demanding. If we have the same energy then it will be a very good game I think but if you are below 100 per cent then you will have a lot of problems.”
On what he saw on Monday specifically, Jakirovic added: “You have a few moments in that game. The 1-0 was a very lucky goal, a deflection, then the second goal immediately after was a mistake in the midfield and then they have a 100 per cent chance in counter attack for 2-1.
“The goalkeeper saved and before half-time it was 3-0. The game was done. I think a big blow was the injury of Nico [Gonzalez], that was a big blow for the team. I know defeat is defeat but it’s a new game and I expect a very strong team against us and they will do everything to beat us.”
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