Hull vs Spurs - Tim's preview

Tim Sherwood expects a different style of game as we prepare to face Hull City for the third time this season on Saturday.

We met the Tigers twice in three days in October and prevailed twice in close encounters at the Lane – 1-0 in the Premier League and then on penalties in the Capital One Cup after a 2-2 draw.

Steve Bruce’s men impressed on both occasions, getting men behind the ball, defending stoutly and then breaking dangerously.

However, Head Coach Tim doesn’t feel the match at the KC Stadium - 3pm kick-off - will follow the same pattern.

“They have other ways to play, they have strengthened their firepower now with Jelavic and Long and I expect them to be fully committed again,” said Tim.

“They will miss Jake Livermore, who is our player (on loan) and can’t play. We do know all about the quality of Tom Huddlestone, his range of passing, he’ll be looking for those balls in behind our defence for Jelavic and Long.

“We know their strengths and we know it will be tough. Hull haven’t had the best of runs recently but throughout the season they’ve picked up good results and beaten some big teams, so we have to be aware of that. On any given day, they can beat the best.

“We have to match them for commitment and hopefully our quality will shine through.”

Tim admitted the players were low after the 5-1 loss against City - our first defeat in seven in  the Premier League and Tim's first as Head Coach.

"You’d expect them to be down, I don’t expect them to be doing cartwheels around the training ground after losing 5-1, albeit against the best team in the Premier League, in my opinion," he added.

"You have to get rid of that disappointment, get it out of our system as soon as possible. We’ll have done that by the end of today (Friday) and we’ll be ready to go again on Saturday."