Our first of two games over the Easter period sees the Tigers travel to Wales to take on Swansea City on Good Friday. Let's build up to the game in our pre-match preview!
The Opposition:
Currently under the interim management of Alan Sheehan, the Swans are in 12th position and have amassed 54 points from 42 league games played.
The Swans have earned wins in their last three league matches over Derby County, Plymouth Argyle and Sunderland respectively. In those three wins, Swansea scored five goals and kept three clean sheets.
Swansea completed three acquisitions in the winter transfer window. They signed Melker Widell permanently, before loaning him back to Danish side AaB for the remainder of the season, and loaned in Hannes Delcroix and Lewis O’Brien from Burnley and Nottingham Forest respectively.
Azeem Abdulai and Matt Grimes departed the club on permanent deals, joining Leyton Orient and Coventry City. Nathan Broome and Josh Thomas both went out on loan, with goalkeeper Broome joining Port Vale and striker Thomas joining Irish side Drogheda United.
(Liam Cullen celebrates scoring for Swansea City away at Norwich City in January 2025.)
Press Call:
Head Coach Rubén Sellés and striker João Pedro spoke to the press on Wednesday ahead of the trip to Wales. Take a look at what they said here:
Rubén Sellés:
“I think it was a competitive game; we had our situations, and they had their situations. We need to adjust the pressure of the defensive moment, especially for the next game. I thought in possession, we were competent. We were competitive and we want to see a side of this competitiveness every single time.” – Sellés reflects on last time out against Coventry City.
“It’s going to be a very intense weekend playing on Friday and Monday. That’s what it is; we have one game away and one game at home, it’s a quick turnover, so hopefully we can have a good easter and get the points that we need.” – Sellés on the Easter weekend.
“The first thing we need to do is manage the tempo of the game. I think it’s going to be a high-tempo game from both sides. We need to be as effective as we can in possession and attack the spaces that we are preparing for the game. Then try to control the defensive moments and the space that we think they will use to create goals.” – Sellés on the threat of Swansea City.
João Pedro:
“So far it has been fun as someone who likes to compete. It’s a tough, strong league. We have an excellent team. Of course, we should be in a better position. It has been a very interesting season.” – Pedro on how he’s settled at Hull City.
“I believe that things will go well, I don’t have any fear. I have great trust in my teammates, the club, the fans and the manager. We have four important games ahead. I am always a positive person. It’s an opportunity for us to show our character, to show that we deserve to be here, and I am pretty sure we will have a happy end.” – Pedro on the final four games.
“I am conscious of my voice and experience on the team. I will try to pass on this momentum of tranquillity to my teammates. I have the mission to do things well, pass on my energy to my teammates. We should work hard to win these games. We must have composure over the next four games and be 100 per cent prepared because it’s going to be hard, although we are confident that we can perform four excellent games.” – Pedro on how his experience can help in the final run-in.
Team News:
Head coach Rubén Sellés offered positive updates following the substitutions of John Egan and Lewie Coyle in our 1-1 draw with Coventry City.
Egan was replaced on 77 minutes for Alfie Jones, while Coyle came off for Cody Drameh with three minutes to go in the fixture at the MKM Stadium.
The Spaniard also confirmed that there are no fresh injury concerns going into Friday’s fixture.
He said: “John is fine after the substitution. In the last 48 hours, he has been symptom free, and he has been training, so he is fine and ready to play.
“Lewie was a little bit fatigued in his hamstring, but we expect him to train tomorrow and be available for Friday.
“Everyone that was available for the last game is available for the next game.”
(John Egan is seen by the club's medical team and goalkeeper Ivor Pandur after pulling up with injury in the Sky Bet Championship game against Coventry City.)
