Jakirovic to ring changes as Hull City seek home response against Brentford
Hull City head coach Sergej Jakirovic has promised "a few" personnel changes for Sunday's home game against Brentford after calling the defeat at Fulham their worst performance under him. He wants a response built on higher training intensity and the return of several injured players.
- Fixture: Hull City vs Brentford
- Date: Sunday
- Competition: Premier League
- Key context: Hull lost away to then-bottom Fulham in their last match
- Team news: Mohamed-Ali Cho, Lucas Gourna and Hidemasa Morita are realistic options after injury
- Out: Nobel Mendy (injured, due to train Monday), Charlie Hughes (no return date), Robinio Vaz (fit)
What was said
"We know what we did last weekend. Now you have another opportunity to fix this. It's not easy because every game is very difficult but you have to show a reaction that you are capable to play on this level. That day we were too far from everything."
"At the start of the game, the first 10-15 minutes, we were compact, everything was good. But we lacked aggression, contact, to even make a foul in the middle. They were quicker."
"So we've tried to have a higher intensity of our training sessions because we need it, especially for players returning after injury. It is difficult for them because even if you don't start the game, if I put you there in half-time or in 60 minutes, you have to show impact."
"You have to train very hard. You have to express yourself on the pitch to show your potential and you will get the chance, 100 per cent."
"At this level, sometimes good energy is the basis for everything β good energy, effort that you're fighting. But you also need to show some quality on the ball. Because if you have a problem with passing, receiving, decisions, at this level you don't have a chance."
"Maybe in the Championship you will win the game with this, with effort, with a team, especially a team effort. One long throw-in, a corner, you will score the goal. But at this level even small mistakes, they will punish you."
"All the new players have experience β not in the Premier League, but from previous clubs because they played in the first division somewhere. It's about adaptation and what your contribution will be."
Jakirovic's comments paint a picture of a squad still adjusting to the demands of the Premier League. The emphasis on aggression, contact and the ability to make a foul in midfield suggests he felt his side were physically outmatched at Fulham.
His reference to players returning from injury needing to make an impact from the bench underlines the importance of squad depth. Hull cannot rely solely on their starting XI.
Injury and availability
Hull City have received a timely boost with several players returning to training.
- Mohamed-Ali Cho β realistic option after a week's more training following problems.
- Lucas Gourna β realistic option, also had an extra week of work.
- Hidemasa Morita β joined training in the last ten days; expected to be in better physical condition.
- Nobel Mendy β still injured but due to join training on Monday.
- Charlie Hughes β no end in sight after summer double hernia surgery; continues to suffer minor setbacks; on grass for individual sessions.
- Robinio Vaz β okay after the tackle which saw Ryan Sessegnon sent off in the 1-0 win at Craven Cottage; no ill-effects.
- Jack Butland β back-up goalkeeper due to return to training ahead of schedule on Monday after an arm injury.
- Ilyas Ansah β signed with a back problem; Hull hope the scan he had on Monday allows him to resume running next week.
Jakirovic also revealed that a planned behind-closed-doors friendly against Lincoln City was cancelled by the Imps due to their own injury issues.
"New players joined us in the training session after their problems. Now we have much more options. Ali Cho, Gourna and 'Rita' Morita have had one week more because they had also problems after Newcastle team and Morita joined to us in the last ten days. I hope their physical condition is much better than one or two weeks ago."
Why Jakirovic is prioritising intensity over shape
Sergej Jakirovic has identified a lack of aggression as the root cause of Hull's collapse at Fulham. His response has been to crank up training intensity, particularly for players returning from injury. The message is clear: energy and fight come first; technical quality must follow.
The expected return of Mohamed-Ali Cho and Lucas Gourna gives Jakirovic options in wide and central areas, while Hidemasa Morita offers experience in midfield. Their availability could allow Hull to press more effectively and contest second balls, addressing the shortcomings at Craven Cottage.
However, the continued absence of Charlie Hughes and Nobel Mendy leaves the defence short. Jakirovic will need to find a combination that can cope with Brentford's direct approach.
Talking points
- Can Hull City rediscover their aggression at home to Brentford, or will the Fulham performance linger?
- Is Jakirovic right to prioritise intensity over tactics, or does his squad lack the quality to compete?
- Will the returning players make an immediate impact, or is it too soon to expect them to change the team's fortunes?
- How much pressure is Jakirovic under after calling the Fulham display his worst?
What happens next
Hull City host Brentford on Sunday. Jakirovic will make "a few" changes as he seeks a response. A win would lift the mood and justify his training-ground approach; another flat performance would raise further questions.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mohamed-Ali Cho available for Hull City vs Brentford?
Yes, Jakirovic said Cho is a realistic option after training following his problems.
Who is injured for Hull City?
Nobel Mendy and Charlie Hughes are out, while Jack Butland and Ilyas Ansah are making progress.
What did Jakirovic say about the Fulham defeat?
He called it Hull's worst under him and demanded a reaction against Brentford.
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