Barmby awaits go-ahead for his rebuilding at Hull

A run of six games that has seen the Tigers claim just four points means any hope of snatching a play-off place has all but gone ahead of tonight’s derby with Barnsley.

Barmby admits to being “down” after Saturday’s draw at Watford but now, along with three strong performances to finish the season, he wants to finalise his recruitment drive for the summer.

Transfer targets have already been identified and the Hull chief hopes a planned meeting with chairman Assem Allam and the board in the coming few days will allow him to put those plans into action.

Barmby said: “We have to be one step ahead of the rest (in the transfer market). Everyone else thinks like that, so we should be like that as a club, too.

“We have made some good signings in the past two years, especially on frees. We are in the hunt for certain players again and everyone needs to be one step ahead of the game.

“We are all in it to outdo each other at this stage of the season to get the players we want.”

A lack of reliable firepower and strength in depth has proved to be Hull’s undoing this term, particularly last month when a draining schedule of nine fixtures yielded just seven goals and seven points.

To avoid a repeat next time around, Barmby wants to bolster his squad with a couple of key additions and hopes the owners, who have already ploughed in more than £50m to prevent Hull going under, are able to match his ambitions.

Barmby added: “We will sit down but that will be a private discussion. We need to sit down and show our strategy going forward. We have all got goals and we all want the club to do well.

“So, we will discuss where we want to be and where we want to get to.”

Asked if a date had been set for the meeting, Barmby replied: “It is difficult when there are other businesses involved but we will sit down and discuss it.”

On the need to ensure Hull push on ahead of the new season kicking off on August 18, Barmby added: “I won’t be standing still and I am sure the same goes for the owners.

“We have all said how ambitious we want to be for the area and I don’t think there is any reason for that to change. We have all said our piece and we should all stick together.

“The main thing is this club and where we want it to go. It is not about any individuals. We have got the basis of a good side and with a few additions we can get there, no doubt about that.”

Barmby’s main focus tonight is avenging November’s 2-1 loss at Oakwell when, in a microcosm of Hull’s entire season, the East Riding club failed to take advantage of a glut of chances with Matty Fryatt missing a penalty and Aaron Mclean striking the crossbar.

The Tigers manager added: “On Saturday I was down because I genuinely thought we could get in the play-offs. That is not me with my Hull City goggles on. I do believe if we had got to the play-offs then we would have caused teams problems.

“Sadly we are not there and the main thing now is to end the season on a positive note.”

Josh King is Hull’s main doubt for tonight’s all-Yorkshire clash at the KC Stadium with a dead leg, while for Barnsley Rob Edwards, Bobby Hassell and Scott Golbourne are all still out so manager Keith Hill will select from the squad that lost to Cardiff City.

Saturday’s loss means the Reds sit seven points clear of the relegation zone, leaving Hill keen to grab the win that would guarantee survival regardless of results elsewhere.

The Barnsley manager said: “I didn’t think survival would be any type of achievement for me when I came to the club (last summer). But knowing what I know now, it would be huge.

“We want to get the three points that we feel we need. Three points and then it is out of everyone else’s hands. Hopefully, we can take care of business at Hull, even though it will be a huge test.

“They want to finish the season strongly and have still got an outside chance of finishing in the play-offs.”

Last six games: Hull City LLLLWD, Barnsley LWLLDL.

Last time: Hull City 2 Barnsley 0; January 15, 2011; Championship.

Referee: P Tierney (Lancashire).

Match previews ahead of tonight’s action: Page 22.