Tigers must deal with Pompey siege mentality

It is, after all, only a little over a year since the Allam family rode to the rescue of the Tigers by pumping in an initial £40m that has since grown by another £10m.

Compared to today’s opoponents Portsmouth, however, City’s travails are minor with the collapse of yet another takeover last month leaving the south coast club in deep trouble.

Hull manager Nick Barmby said: “The lads are in good spirits and we are on a good run at the minute.

“We know it will be a difficult game because Portsmouth are a good side. There is always a really good atmosphere at Fratton Park and it is a great place to play.

“When you have a financial situation like Portsmouth have got, people can say the morale might not be as it should be.

“But I think it has gone the other way and galvanised the players. There might be a bit of a siege mentality from them and we are going to have to deal with that.”

In an attempt to try and boost the Portsmouth coffers, the club and the Supporters’ Trust have joined forces to launch the ‘Pack the Park’ initiative.

The aim is to ensure the ground is today packed to capacity and Pompey manager Michael Appleton is expecting supporters to turn out in their numbers and make life difficult for Hull.

He said: “If ever there is a time we need our 12th man, it is now. We have been working hard as a club to get as many people as possible through the gates.

‘Our fans are fantastic and it would be great to see Fratton Park full up with a brilliant atmosphere.”