Nigel Pearson was pretty decisive when asked this week to spell out the challenge his Bristol City side face as they bid to extend their unbeaten run to 12 matches this weekend and climb their way further up into the mid-table area of the Championship.
"They'll be tough opponents for us," Pearson said, having managed now head coach Liam Rosenior when he was a player at Hull. "They will commit a lot of players forward, they've got a really good goalscorer. In Oscar, he's a player who certainly knows the areas to get into, he's normally in the middle of the goal and he's normally there to convert chances."
The Oscar in question is Oscar Estupinan, the Colombian who's Hull's top scorer with 12 goals, but hasn't found the target in his last six matches and one of the fundamental issues with the Rosenior-version of Hull, having taken over from Shota Arveladze in November, has been a lack of goals.
Results have, in the main, been positive with two defeats in 12 games since the World Cup break but they're found the target just 10 times in their eight Championship games in 2023 - and seven of those were against Wigan Athletic and QPR teams in disarray.
To find out a little more about Saturday's opponents and the change that has taken place since Rosenior took over, we spoke to Hull City correspondent Barry Cooper from Hull Live...
Can you sum up what Hull City are like as a club now, under Liam Rosenior, compared to early November, just before he took over?
Very different in truth. They now seem like a club with an identity, structure and one that seems to going in the right direction.
What do you think has been the biggest, and most noticeable change, he's made to the team - on or off the field?
There are a number of things he's changed to give them structure and identity, something they lacked under Shota Arveladze. Their style of play is a world away from before, with the emphasis very much on keeping the ball and building from the back. Defensively, they're a completely different animal under Liam, and the stats in that respect are stark.
If you were to broadly describe his style of play as a manager and tactical beliefs what would it/they be?
Possession-based football, playing from the back through the thirds and creating chances, built on a solid foundation of clean sheets.
Are there any players who have made very clear improvements under his coaching, and how?
I think Oscar is the one. He's known for his goals, but his work for the team has changed markedly. He will do a lot of defending when required, but equally, he will lead the line with strength and purpose.
You mention Oscar, but are there any other individuals to look out for who could cause some problems?
Tough to answer on both because they have a fair amount out injured. I'd go for Xavier Simons at the base of midfield. On loan from Chelsea and made his full debut last weekend in the absence of Jean Michael Seri (big loss). He's signing on a permanent in the summer, after attracting a lot of interest from elsewhere, including Bristol City?
What is lacking from this team?
Goals. Defensively they're sound and look a well-coached, organised side, but they lack that final - and most important - part. They've had a lot of draws under Rosenior, something that was levelled at him at Derby, and that needs to change, but they have a solid base.
How have the Hull fans taken to him?
Initially, it was fairly positive if not a little curious given this is his first permanent job. I think results and performances in the weeks since, coupled with his openness have only endeared him further to the supporters, given his strong ties to the club.
And, from a media perspective, what have your dealings been like with him; how does he conduct himself? What sort of communicator is he?
He's been very good. Doesn't shirk a question, will give good answers on a range of topics and has strong opinions. Many fans will know how well he speaks from his time on Sky previously, so he's very comfortable with the press.
I had the benefit of spending quite a bit of time with him during the World Cup break in Antalya, so got to know him a bit and have been able to build a really positive relationship with him.
Finally, how do you expect Hull to line up and in what sort of system?
They'll probably start 4-2-3-1 with Oscar the lone striker, but they interchange quite regularly within games to a 4-3-3 and 4-4-2 at times.
I'll play this with a straight bat: Ingram; Greaves, McLoughlin, Jones, Christie; Simons, Docherty; Longman, Ebiowei, Ozan; Oscar.
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