Hull City head coach Nigel Adkins is relishing some home comforts as the side return to the KCOM Stadium for this Friday’s clash with Sheffield United.
Following four away games in the spin, and only four points gained from those encounters, Hull sit in 21st place in the Championship table and only goal difference is now keeping us out of the dropzone as we are tied on points with Burton Albion.
Speaking to the Official Site as he met with the media to preview what will be another tough game against Chris Wilder’s high flying side, Adkins explained that he felt the fans could make a telling difference as we look to return to winning ways once again.
One thing he can take confidence from is the fact that so far he has an unbeaten record on home soil.
‘It`s very rare that you have a run where you play four straight away games, so from our point of view being back on home soil is great. We`re unbeaten at home since I arrived which is good and the performances have been good. Our last home game against Leeds United was a derby game with a good crowd and atmosphere. We played well that night and arguably should have won the game. We were on the front foot from the start.’
Adkins added.
‘We know that the atmosphere will be really good again on Friday night. Sheffield United will bring a lot of support, make a lot of noise and get right behind their team, and we need the same from our supporters. We know that we will have to perform as well. Sheffield United are a good side, a high energy side and have goals in their team. It`ll be a challenge but it`s one we`re looking forward to.’
In terms of team news for the game, Adkins admitted that Seb Larsson will likely go back into the starting line up following his two game suspension.
‘We have the opportunity to bring Seb back after his suspension, so he`s one under consideration. I`ve already said that Harry Wilson won`t be available for Friday night, and we`ll have to see where we go with Jarrod Bowen – it would be nice to think we could get him available. He trained on Thursday morning, so we’ll see how he is. We`ll have to wait and see. There`s competition for places and that is the important thing.’
Ondrej Mazuch returned to training this week following his hamstring problem but the game comes too quickly for him to even take a place on the bench you would think but you never know. Abel Hernandez remains out though but he shouldn’t be too far away now following his 55 minute run out for the U23s at the beginning of the week following his six months absence.
‘It was fantastic to see Abel back on the field and it`s a big lift for everybody. He`s been training, although he`s still a long way from the level that we know he is capable of. To see him play 55 minutes was fantastic. He needs more minutes, but we know his quality so the sooner we can get him available the better.’
Stephen Kingsley and Markus Henriksen remain out as they continue their own fitness work and Moses Odubajo and James Weir are also out with injury.
