Hull City boss Nigel Adkins has warned his side not to take Blackburn Rovers lightly when last season’s League One runners-up arrive at the KCOM Stadium this afternoon.
Fresh from booking their place in the Carabao Cup second round with a penalty shoot-out win at Sheffield United on Tuesday, City will attempt to build further momentum by securing a first Championship victory of the season.
The opening two games have so far yielded just one point after losing at home to Aston Villa and drawing away to Sheffield Wednesday, but the visit of Blackburn offers an inviting chance to get up and running
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| Tony Mowbray, manager of Blackburn Rovers |
Tony Mowbray’s side have only just returned to the Championship following a season in League One, starting out with draws against Ipswich and Millwall, but Adkins predicts a stern test at the KCOM Stadium.
“We know this is going to be a tough game against Blackburn Rovers. Tony Mowbray has gone in and got them promoted from League One and they’ve got a spirit,” said Adkins.
“They’ve got good players with big threats. Danny Graham and Bradley Dack in their front line are good players.
“They play really good, effective football with a manager who’s experienced it all.
“Blackburn are in a good place having been on a slippery slope.
“They’ve got an experienced English manager who knows what it’s all about. He’s steadied the ship and got the right characters in his team and the right culture in the club.
“They’re doing well and they’ll do very well this season. This will be tough. We’re well aware that they’re a good side. They do all the things you need to do and they do it very well.”
The visit of Blackburn will be followed by Tuesday’s trip to Rotherham United in a newly-promoted double-header for the Tigers, who will be expected to make home advantage count.
The opening fortnight of the season has included spells of promise but in each of the three league and cup games to date, City have allowed a lead to slip.
Only once, against Aston Villa on the opening night, has it resulted in a defeat after a succession of defensive lapses proved costly, and Adkins insists he is unfazed by his team’s failings when in front.
“It’s not a concern,” he said. "We’ve scored goals, we’ve started really well and the opposition get the opportunities.
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| Hull City manager Nigel Adkins before the Sky Bet Championship match away to Sheffield Wednesday |
“We conceded a goal against Sheffield Wednesday where it’s not a penalty in my eyes. That changed the complexion. Even then, we were all right. Sheffield United got a head of steam up but we won the tie.
“The Aston Villa game had a lot of good things and even after the mistakes we responded well. We were still strong.
“It’s not a concern,” he said. "We’ve scored goals, we’ve started really well and the opposition get the opportunities.
“We conceded a goal against Sheffield Wednesday where it’s not a penalty in my eyes. That changed the complexion. Even then, we were all right. Sheffield United got a head of steam up but we won the tie.
“The Aston Villa game had a lot of good things and even after the mistakes we responded well. We were still strong.
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