Hull’s Sergej Jakirović on Brentford’s Big Test in Pre-Match Presser

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Sergej Jakirović previewed Hull City’s Premier League Matchweek 8 game against Brentford, which kicks off at 2pm on Sunday 25 October at the MKM Stadium. Robert Jones is the referee. Hull are ninth with 9 points from seven games, while Brentford are sixth with 10.

The Hull head coach spoke about the lack of aggression in last Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at Fulham, what he expects from Brentford, the match fitness of Morita and the club’s place in the division.

Brentford are a big challenge

“They are a big challenge for us. I’ve watched almost every game, and they have everything for this level. They have height, intensity and speed. They play on the front foot. It will be an interesting game.”

What he said

Jakirović said he has watched almost every Brentford game and listed height, intensity and speed as their main qualities. He also said they play on the front foot.

What he meant

His description points to a physical, direct test, and he says he has studied it closely. Brentford have scored 13 goals in seven league games, the most of the two sides, and have lost once.

Brentford will be without the suspended Yegor Yarmolyuk and Vitaly Janelt, along with Josh Dasilva, Kaye Furo and Antoni Milambo. Jakirović did not mention those absences in the quotes provided.

Fulham: no shot on target

“It is about the way we lost this game. We did not show anything. We did not even have a shot on target.”

What he said

Jakirović said the manner of the defeat at Fulham concerned him more than the result. He pointed to the fact that Hull did not have a shot on target.

What he meant

His criticism is aimed at the level of performance, not just the 1-0 scoreline. Hull have not scored in three of their last six league games, and the table shows no win in their last five.

Aggression and second balls

“If you play this level without aggression, contact or trying to win the second balls, then you will create problems and that happened. We must be braver on Sunday.”

What he said

The Hull head coach said a lack of aggression, contact and effort to win second balls caused problems against Fulham. He called for his team to be braver against Brentford.

What he meant

This links to his own description of Brentford’s height and intensity. He appears to want Hull to compete for loose balls rather than let Brentford dictate the physical side of the game.

The demands for Sunday

“It is about running, it is about duels, being aggressive, passing, receiving, body positions, better decisions.”

What he said

Jakirović listed what he wants against Brentford: running, duels, aggression, passing, receiving, body positions and better decisions.

What he meant

The list covers both physical effort and technical detail, so he is not putting the Fulham display down to one fault. It suggests he sees the problems as spread across the team’s work with and without the ball.

Playing better with the ball

“We have to play much better with the ball.”

What he said

Jakirović said Hull must improve in possession.

What he meant

He followed his Fulham comments on shots with a direct call for better use of the ball. Hull have drawn three of their last five league games and lost two, and he is asking for improvement in how they build play.

No surrender after one defeat

“One defeat and now we will surrender here? We will give up? No. It is about trying to improve.”

What he said

Jakirović rejected the idea that the loss at Fulham should lead to resignation. He said the focus is on improving.

What he meant

His tone is defiant. Hull are still ninth, only one point behind Brentford, so the table gives him room to argue the situation is recoverable.

Morita’s match fitness

“Morita joined us in the middle of July and it is now October and he has had maybe 10 to 12 group sessions so far. Morita is a very good player but it is about match fitness.”

What he said

Jakirović said Morita joined in the middle of July and has had around 10 to 12 group sessions. He described him as a very good player but said the issue is match fitness.

What he meant

The head coach is explaining why Morita has not yet had a bigger role, rather than questioning his quality. He did not say whether Morita will be involved on Sunday.

Hull have eight players on the absence list: Jens Hjertø-Dahl, Eliot Matazo, Charlie Hughes, Jack Butland, Darko Gyabi and Lucas Gourna-Douath through injury, and Kieran Dowell and Óscar Zambrano through lack of eligibility.

Competing in the Premier League

“It is not easy to get promotion and play in the Premier League. We see how difficult it is. There will be ups and downs, this is normal. But we showed already that we can compete.”

What he said

Jakirović said staying in the Premier League after promotion is difficult. He expects ups and downs but said Hull have already shown they can compete.

What he meant

He frames the Fulham defeat as part of a normal season. Hull have won two of their seven league games and drawn three, with 8 goals scored and 7 conceded.

Confidence check: Measured

Jakirović sounded measured. He called Brentford a big challenge and was critical of the Fulham display, saying Hull “did not show anything”. He did not play down the size of Sunday’s task.

He was also firm about the response he wants. He said Hull will not “give up” after one defeat and that they “can compete”. The table supports some of that view: Hull are ninth, one point behind sixth-placed Brentford.

The recent form is harder to argue with. Hull have no win in their last five league games, while Brentford have won one, drawn three and lost one. Brentford also lost 2-1 at home to Liverpool on Saturday 17 October, the same day as Hull’s defeat at Fulham.

How to watch

Hull City vs Brentford kicks off at 2pm UK time on Sunday 25 October, live on NOW.

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