Hull manager's warning to Portsmouth about what they can expect against resilient Shrewsbury

That's what made high-flying Hull s task so difficult as they were held to a 1-1 draw at New Meadow last weekend.

The Shrews have picked up markedly since former Blues boss Steve Cotterill succeeded Sam Ricketts in the hot seat in November.

Despite Cotterill not attending a game this year during his recovery from coronavirus, the Shrews have caused some big upsets.

They've beaten automatic-promotion chasing Sunderland and Peterborough on their own patch, along with frustrating Hull seven days ago.

Despite the Tigers having a potent attack, manager Grant McCann felt were largely nullified by a resolute Shrewsbury back four.

And that's what Pompey can expect when they face a Shrewsbury outfit unbeaten in their past four games later today (3pm).

McCann told Hull's website: ‘I think we’ve got to respect the point that we’ve taken.

‘It’s a tough place to come to and they’re a team that is strong defensively. They get that back five and midfield four behind the ball, and they try to push you into areas that you don’t want to go.

‘Performance-wise we weren’t at our best and we won’t hide away from that, but what was pleasing was the fact that we kept going after we had conceded the opener.

‘After we equalised, I felt that there was only one team that was going to go on and win it, but we’ll take the point. I feel as though it’s a point gained because it really is a difficult place to come to.’

Pompey will be without top-scorer John Marquis for the trip to Shrewsbury because of an ankle injury, while Ronan Curtis is away on international duty.