After the delirium of last Saturday’s historic win against Fulham, Phil Brown’s Hull side travel to Blackburn Rovers for what will no doubt be a very tough encounter.

Paul Ince recorded his first win as a Premier League manager in dramatic fashion at Everton last week, and the Guv’nor will no doubt be eager to record a second successive win in front a home crowd. The rookie manager will also fancy his chances against newly-promoted Hull, who may still be slightly distracted from last week’s win.

Rest assured for Tigers fans, Brownie will have prepared his charges thoroughly for the clash, and focus will be top of the agenda. Witnesses of the opening 20 minutes of the Fulham match will tell you City gave Fulham’s midfield far too much time and space to dictate play, and thus looked like world beaters.

Against Rovers – where quality, aggression and organisation come in abundance – Hull simply cannot afford to sit back, especially on such a big, open pitch. These issues will have been addressed, but the game is still going to be a toughie.

But it’d be too easy to write The Tigers off once again, and doubters were made aware of that folly with last week’s result. Hull will be up for the match, and it is vital they try come away with some kind of result in order to build up some early season momentum.

The opening fixtures don’t look too difficult on paper, with Wigan travelling to the KC Stadium in ten days time. It is disrespectful to label such teams as ‘easy’ matches, but believe us - we’re used to it - and in the back of Brown’s mind the game will have been earmarked for potential points.

City have no fresh injury worries ahead of the trip to Ewood, which is another boost. The experience of George Boateng is going to be vital on Saturday, as is the guile of Geovanni, and those two men may just be able to assemble another shock.

The proverbial ‘12th man’ could also have their influence of Saturday, as around 4000 Tigers fan are expected to arrive en masse to Lancashire to roar their side to another win. Either way, the ride continues and the game is sure to be an enjoyable one. Let’s just hope we can cement that UEFA Cup spot for another week.