Hull FC v Hull Kingston Rovers : Agar aiming to earn respect in the most passionate of derbies

The Airlie Birds coach boasts plenty of experience of the sport's most passionate derby, having been involved in every Super League battle between the two sides.

He also recalls watching his dad Allan famously inflict a Wembley defeat on Hull while in the colours of Hull KR and, being from Featherstone, is well-placed to compare it to other fierce rivalries.

"It's unique," said Agar, as the city prepares to divide once more tonight ahead of the latest offering at the KC Stadium.

"I don't think there's any derby in the world – rugby league anyway – that has as much emotional investment and the ramifications of winning and losing for spectators are enormous.

"I'd seen Fev v Castleford derbies and they're pretty hostile, but I remember watching Hull and Rovers as a kid, most notably that Challenge Cup final in 1980, and Floodlit finals in the late 70s.

"I was aware of it all from being a young boy but I reckon – and maybe my memory's playing tricks on me – it has cranked up a few notches since then.

"With Rovers being out of the top flight for so long, probably patiently waiting and suffering at the hands of Hull fans, they've had a little to give back.

"But probably because some of the things that have happened – the Paul Cooke incident and some inflammatory comments from both camps – I would suggest it has made feelings even more bitter.

"It's been pretty spiteful at times but there's mutual respect – certainly from our end – for what Rovers had achieved.

"It's just a game you really don't want to lose."

Hull had lost seven of their previous 10 meetings against Rovers before battling to an 18-14 victory during a brutal Good Friday contest at Craven Park.

Since then, they have pushed on to gain a position in the top four but have won few admirers along the way, observers getting mesmerised by the likes of the more stylish Wigan, Warrington and St Helens as well as a side – Leeds – who actually lie below them in the Super League table.

Hull may be more agricultural in their approach at times compared to their glitzier rivals but Agar points to the fact key playmakers Sean Long and Richard Horne have only played together four times this season and their other main injuries have been suffered by equally instrumental performers – Australian Test trio Shaun Berrigan, Mark O'Meley and Craig Fitzgibbon.

Given that the club have finished 12th in the previous two seasons, it is understandable why Agar may feel slightly aggrieved that his side have not won more praise for reaching their current position with just six rounds to go.

Victory tonight would further strengthen their hold and stall the momentum of Rovers who, on the back of a four-match unbeaten run, are just three points adrift.

However, Hull return to action after Saturday's abject defeat at Wakefield which Agar freely described as their worst display of the season.

"It was a complete non-event for us and we know if we have ambitions of being a top four team we simply can't afford a performance like that," he said, adding that his remorseful squad had already watched the video of their own accord before reporting back for duty on Monday.

He will make changes tonight with Tongan prop Sam Moa returning along with winger Mark Calderwood, who has played just three times this season having suffered a horrendous hamstring tear almost four months ago.

The former Leeds player will bring genuine pace to the Airlie Birds – "he'd have put a try away last week we didn't nail" – and extra defensive skill given he is a specialised winger as opposed to the converted centres Richard Whiting and Craig Hall, who have filled in admirably.

Calderwood, 28, is also out of contract in the coming months and so has plenty to prove.

Horne, who made his return from injury at Wakefield, should be back in the starting line-up to alleviate the continued loss of Long tonight when families and friends will be split again.

For the losers, life will be unbearable for the foreseeable future but Agar said: "The players don't need me reminding them at every session what the likely outcomes might be.

"My job is to take the pressure off but it'd be great to get a second win against them."