Sunderland game a big one for Hull City as Tigers boss hails Billy Sharp influence
The Tigers are in Friday night action once again and take on one of their big play-off rivals
Liam Rosenior has challenged his Hull City players to respond to a flurry of recent setbacks as they prepare to face Sunderland in a blockbuster Friday night clash at the Stadium of Light.
City have lost their last three for the first time under Rosenior, with successive defeats to Sheffield Wednesday and Norwich City, coupled with a dramatic late exit in the FA Cup on Tuesday.
Sunderland themselves come into the game with Michael Beale under pressure after defeats against arch-rivals Newcastle United in the FA Cup and then at Ipswich Town, despite taking the lead through Jack Clarke’s latest goal.
Rosenior will be without no fewer than nine players for the trip to Wearside and will have to call upon 37-year-old Billy Sharp to lead the line, with both Liam Delap and Aaron Connolly sidelined through injury.
“I have got to try and field an 11 and put a bench out. I love it though. We were always going to go through this. We’re always, it’s never gonna be smooth sailing. What I’m going to do, I’m going to find about the character of my staff, me, of the team and actually, what a great game going away from home, 40,000 people up against you. Everything’s against you. Are we still brave and play? That’s all, that’s all I’m looking for tomorrow night,” he told Hull Live on the eve of the trip to the North East, before going on to praise Sharp.
“I thought his (Sharp) leadership was magnificent for 60 minutes, Doc’s (Greg Docherty) in the middle of the pitch. His layoff for James Furlong and for James Furlong’s cross for Jason was top quality. That’s what he brings. He brings an understanding, his pressing against Norwich was fantastic. He pretty much played the whole game. He brings a level of experience and understanding that we haven’t quite had in the group. That’s why he’s here, you
know, so he could be huge for us tomorrow night, whether he starts with the 90 minutes or he comes off the bench.
“They’re a good team and Michael’s a good coach. It’s as simple as that, they are direct rivals for what we want to achieve in the league, but this is a big game for us.
