Southampton v Hull City: Barmby seeking ‘intelligence and composure’ as Hull face tough task

The Championship leaders have won all nine league games on home soil this season to add to the nine straight wins that ended last term.

With Saints also having won a couple of cup ties during the last 10 months, it means Hull face an uphill task tonight on the south coast.

Barmby, however, believes his side can rise to the challenge.

“It is a test for us and it is what you want if you want to play at this level and go higher.

“These are the places where you go and test yourself against one of the best sides in the division.

“There is no point feeling sorry for yourself or thinking ‘Oh no, it’s Southampton’ just because they’re currently going so well at home.

“If you think like that you will go down there and get beat.

“You have got to go there in a positive frame of mind. You have got to go there with intelligence and composure.

“If you need to dig deep, then you dig deep. Anything to get a positive result down there.”

Aaron Mclean returns to the squad after missing the weekend defeat to Burnley through suspension but Paul McKenna collected his fifth booking of the season against the Clarets and incurred a one-game ban.

Peter Gulacsi will continue in goal due to Adriano Basso not having recovered fully from a knee injury as Hull go in search of their first win at Southampton since 1951.

The Hull manager added: “We have had to pick the lads up but it is not all doom and gloom after Burnley.

“Me and my staff will never be about that and we will move on to the next game in a positive frame of mind.

“We will take on board the lessons from the weekend but we will go there looking forward to it and looking to win.”

Last six games: Southampton LWWWWL, Hull City WWLLWL.

Last time: Southampton 4 Hull City 0; December 8, 2007; Championship.

Referee: K Wright (Cambridgeshire).