Sergej Jakirovic, the Hull City manager, has joked that 'kicking' Chelsea's forwards would be the simplest way to stop them, before setting out his genuine plan for Saturday's trip to Stamford Bridge. Asked how to contain a Chelsea front line of Joao Pedro, Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers, Jakirovic said: "To kick them? No, if you are there man-marking, you don't have chance."
He added: "So, it's very, very simple because they are capable to pass one, two, three players."
A tough away test
Chelsea have scored sixteen goals across five league and cup matches this season and currently sit fourth in the table. Jakirovic called the fixture "a great challenge" and warned his side would need "tactical discipline, no matter what's going on on the pitch."
Hull City go into the match third in the Premier League on seven points from three games, having beaten Manchester United and Coventry before drawing with Aston Villa. The Tigers have not conceded in the league all season, sitting on three goals scored and none against after those three matches, and their recent form reads two wins, two draws and one loss across the last five outings in all competitions, including Tuesday's one-nil defeat at Sunderland.
The last meeting between the two clubs ended in a heavy four-nil defeat for Hull City on 13 February. Supporters will hope for a very different outcome this time, with the Tigers unbeaten in the Premier League proper so far this season.
Squad news
Jakirovic confirmed Brooke Norton-Cuffy and Paddy McNair are both available after fitness scares. Norton-Cuffy felt discomfort in his calf against Aston Villa and was sent for a scan, which "said there was nothing," while McNair had "some problems" after Tuesday's game at Sunderland but is fit to play. John Egan is also cleared.
Hidemasa Morita and Charlie Hughes remain the only absentees, with Jakirovic saying: "Still Morita, Charlie Hughes but I think that's it." Darko Gyabi, Jack Butland and Oscar Zambrano are also currently sidelined, according to our injuries list.
Jakirovic wants his side, who can check their standings position and the make-up of the squad ahead of kick-off, to keep growing. "I expect in every game that we grow," he said. Hull City travel to Stamford Bridge for a three o'clock kick-off on Saturday, 12 September, a fixture fans can find on our fixtures page.
