Tomorrow we’re off to Hull so here’s the It’s a fix extract :
Were promoted in 2008, so in their second Premiership season. Most recent connection : Geovanni, Brian Horton. Big name supporter : Paul Heaton. John Prescott? 16th league meeting
Phil Brown’s squad includes : Myhill, Gardner, McShane, Zayette, Dawson, Mouyokolo, Fagan, Boateng, Hunt, Cairney, Altidore, Kilbane, Zaki, Geovanni, Barmby, Duke, Mendy, Vennegoor of Hesselink, …
This season so far : At the end of November we played out that 1-1 draw at COMS. SWP opened the scoring on half time, and Bullard equalised from the penalty spot in the 82nd minute.
Cue a re-enactment of the Phil Brown half time on the pitch team dressing down from last season. Very funny (?). A real sickener. Crowd was 46,382 with 2,358 Tigers.
They’re currently in 18th spot with 21 points from 24 games and 4 wins 4 draws and 3 losses at home.
In the Carling Cup they went out 4-0 at home to Everton in the 3rd round. In the F. A. Cup 3rd round they lost 4-0 at Wigan.
Our form in Hull : Last season, at the KC on a cold November day it was a disappointing 2-2 draw. We went behind to a Cousins goal (15) Stevie Ireland equalised (37) then put us ahead on the stroke of half time. But a Kompany OG in the 60th levelled and that’s the way it stayed (24,902; 2472 Blues).
Overall we’ve played 7 times in the league in Hull winning one (2-1 in 1909/10), drawing 3 and losing 3.
Comment : They’re continuing to struggle, look a good bet for the drop, but gave a good account in the home mid week game v Chelsea so will be up for it v City. Dangerous at set pieces, but no Bullard so that’s a relief!. Will we see Johnson, or Bridge? Wouldn’t it be nice to get a win and celebrate our goals with a piss take of theirs at COMS?
Wind Ups : There’s only one City…going down…
Groundwise : No change to the Kingston (do they sing Kingston Town?) Communications Stadium, where we’ll take up part of the stand behind the goal.
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Kingston Communications Stadium Capacity : 25,504 (2,500 for City)
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Their current average home attendance ; 24,089
WWTWTWshite: Averaged 3,993 in 1981/82
Away day Zine ; There was one on sale last year so look out for it
Steve P’s routemaster : M62 all the way, which leads straight onto the A63. Continue on the A63 under the Humber Bridge. The road continues into the A63 Clive Sullivan Way. Don’t take A1166 slip road, but after that as the road sweeps left away from the river, turn off onto the slip road just before the fly-over, sign-posted 'Local Traffic/Infirmary' and for KC Stadium. At the roundabout, take the second exit "Rawling Way". At the next main set of traffic lights (and with the Hospital in front of you), take a left turn onto A1105 Anlaby Road. Continue over the fly-over. At the foot of the fly-over, take a right turn into Walton Street. The Walton Street car park next to the stadium is located just over half way down this street after the Sports Arena. There’s also a car park at Smith & Nephew on Rawling Way, ten minutes walk from the ground, maybe handy for a smart getaway.
Sat Nav : HU3 6HU
I support Sheffield United not Hull City. PH
ReplyDeleteI thought it was an interesting ploy trying to send the opposition to sleep for 57 minutes it worked for me, unfortunately when I woke up we were 2 goals down and a 90 minute game starting at 0-0 had become a 33 minute game and 2-0 down.
ReplyDeleteIs it that difficult to stay onside when the ball has to travel over 40 yards? Too many important players not at the races.I liked what I saw of Johnson, could be a "good un".
And hello Paul welcome to the the most civilised footy forum on the web.
Actually Paul I at the 1995 gig at Huddersfields ground Michael Stipes told us you supported Altrincham but with the "Hill People" watching through the railings freaking everybody out I could be wrong and anyway we know what a kidder "Stipesy" is.
ReplyDeleteHang on. How can we be certain that its the real Paul Heaton? Anyway, I could only watch the first half as I had to go and pick my wife and daughter from Stockport. By the time I got to the car and tuned into the radio, we were 0-2 down. Don't really know what to say. Perhaps I for one was a little too confident that we'd win. perhaps I should have given Hull a little more credit as they held Chelsea last week. Did anyone else read that article about what may happen if Pompey go under? Like Charlton Athletic in 1984, if they go under all games will be wiped from the fixture list and of course we, who have taken 6 points off them this season will lose the most. By the way if it is the real PH, can I just say that I though the video to Happy Hour was fantastic and so was the song
ReplyDeleteIt was a game you have seen many times Tony,we strolled about like a team of subdued "superstars" they fought "Tooth and Nail" played a lot of good football, every time the ball went loose it ended up at the feet of a Hull player. Dowd was flashing cards about like a mad magician mostly in our direction. On the whole I would have rather been in Stockport.
ReplyDeleteEven worse than the performance was the fear in our tactics. Too many slow passes to players who didn't want the ball. How many short goal kicks did Given aim at Bridge and Zabaletta?
ReplyDeleteDidn't understand Mancini's comments afterwards when he complained about our slow play. We did the same against Portsmouth so it must be his tactics and ideas.
Well I was pretty disgusted in the performance. Adam Johnson only played about half an hour but was probably our MOM.
ReplyDeleteParticularly poor, I thought, were Ireland and Boyata - who is nowhere near ready for regular first team football.
It's just ridiculous how we keep tossing away opportunities and are now in danger of letting Liverpool fulfill Benitez's "guarantee" of a top 4 place.
I didn't have the stomach to watch Match of the Day or listen to any interviews, but must agree with Neil about Mancini's tactics and puzzling statements. Quite worrying is the fact we've now lost 3 matches under Mancini compared to 2 under Hughes!
The earlier debate about Paul Heaton and watching this mornings 'Sunday Supplement' prompted me to a bit of research.
1) The Blades' wikipedia page lists Paul (the singer) under their famous supporters.
2) Then a question for Dave - are you SURE Martin Samuel supports Arsenal and not West Ham? This certainly didn't come across this morning and amongst lots of similar material I came across the following online...
"If anyone cares to take the time to 'Google' search Martin Samuel West Ham they will see a number of 'Celebrity' fans of which Mr Samuel is paraded as a lifelong 'Hammers' fan being
born in Ilford."
I think that at the end of the season if we do not get that fourth place with the players we have it will be an opportunity missed although after the last two games we have looked more like a mid table side.Liverpool should have had a couple of players suspended after Saturdays match which would have dented their ambitions and at the moment Spurs look a red hot cert for fourth and maybe even better.
ReplyDeleteAs I said at the start of the season we always have problems with the Hulls, Wigans, Fulhams, et. al. until we can find a manager who can figure out how we can beat these teams we will remain on the road to nowhere.
I thought Boyata had a mixed game and would say after Stevie Ireland Bellamy was our worst player,he should give himself an ear bashing.
I will take your word for it Glyn that Samuel supports WHAM but not sure why I should care.
Perhaps we are all underestimating the fear factor surrounding City and possibly Villa and Spurs. Liverpool boast the experience for these situations and regardless of strength of squad would still be my overall favourite for a Champions League spot.
ReplyDeleteI think City are suffering from a catch 22 mentality. We need experience to win a trophy, but once we’ve won a trophy we’ll have the experience. United had the same problem in the late 80s and early 90s.This is why the FA Cup is so important.
The other concern is the negativity in our approach. Compare this with the way that Spurs attacked Leeds in the replay. Even during the last fifteen minutes, the home team couldn’t get the ball out of their own half. City would have sat back and allowed Leeds to attack from long throws and set pieces. As yesterday proved, a silly corner conceded can often result in a goal for the opposition.
I left the KC Stadium with the distinct impression that Mancini doesn’t have a clue about the tempo of the Premier League. Hull were there for the taking, yet almost from the first minute our defenders were dallying on the ball and losing possession. Our ploy of allowing the opposition to take short corners is an absolute joke and why was Ireland isolated on the right wing with SWP sat on the bench?
Despite all the money spent, we still lack a powerful centre half, at least one full back and a disciplined centre forward who doesn’t start chasing the ball when things are going wrong.
Sorry for the self-indulgence, Steve. The Samuel question is just out of curiosity. Stems back to December when he was critical of Tevez. I said I found this surprising as I thought he was a WH fan. Dave then corrected me, saying he supports Arsenal.
ReplyDeleteGlyn.Sorry about the comment it came out stronger than I had intended.I did care enough to check out a search engine and while his allegiance to West Ham was alluded to I could see nothing that would convince me either way, which I think is often the case for people in his position so as not to alienate anybody, although if I had to put money on it I would say he was a West Ham fan.
ReplyDeleteI have just read Daves post and think maybe Mr Samuel is having some fun with us.
ReplyDeleteI am sure if you asked Alf Garnet he would say "with a name like that who else could he support?" Oy Vey!
Don't know if anyone else has heard this, but in todays newspapers they were yet again informing us that Mourinho is looking to return to the premiership, and he is ready to buy out his contract to do so. According to the papers, Mancini signed a three year deal, but there is a clause in it rthat says that he can be replaced after six months. Call it a six month trial period I suppose. By then, the paper reasoned, Mourinho will be available. I must say this does tie in with something I read just before he was appointed. As for Wayne Bridge, who took a bit of stick from the Hull fans, my brother in law and sister have gone to Cyprus for a month or so and he read a football column in the Cyprus Mail by a chap called "Pontoon Charlie" He reckoned that more several Chelsea players had "Had" Mrs Bridge or whatever she calls herself. Obviously, he could be just making it up, but there is no reason for him to make it up. The newspapers don't work quite the same way on the island as they do here - Already
ReplyDelete"Pontoon Charlie" Married Lingere models getting roasted,managerial conspiricies,are we going tabloid Tony?Give us more details.
ReplyDeleteThe players who got caught on Mrs (ex) Bridge are JT (as we know), Mutu, Ediur Gudjonasson (spelt wrong I know) Bridge himself (relevant as he was at Chelsea at the time) and there is a mystery player who is/or was a big name at the bridge that is being protected. My guess is Lamps or That manager who won 2 titles left in a hurry...... but she had 5 on the go at the Bridge (Stamford that is not Wayne), 1 is being protected. As an Utd fan I fell it is only fair they are dropped 10 points. (2 for each shag).
ReplyDeleteThe Cypriot journo didn't name players. I shall ask my sister to cut out the story and bring it back. He is obviously not as well informed as Keith. I'll put in a word for you with the Cyprus Mail, Keith. I wonder, is it too late to put my name down for a go on Mrs B?
ReplyDeleteThe names where named last week in a daily Rag, the they had to withdraw it the next day so its true......(in my rose coloured specs). Tony, I believe your name was next in the list, just before it hit the headlines..... not much luck there mate but in fairness she would make you wear a Chelsea top, could you do it then?
ReplyDeleteSorry, but the John Terry Saga is boring me to tears. I'm more concerned with City's inability to defend a long throw.
ReplyDeleteI see on the City website that Bellamy's visiting a specialist in London. Mancini doesn't think it's too serious, but given our track record, that probably means he'll be out for the Season.
I think that Bellamy's injury is being used as an excuse. Mancini made it clear in this mornings papers that he was going to make changes and that Bellamy and Ireland were likely to make way. By the afternoon, it is reported that Bellamy is out due to him seeing a specialist. Keith, are you certain my name was next on the list? I had to wear a United shirt once when playing 5-a-side and I can't say it affected my performance, so I guess I could wear a Chelsea shirt.
ReplyDeleteTony, wearing the United top had to affect your performance because when you pull that top on there is a magic within it that inspires you to perform at the top level, (not sure if I should write that on a City site!!) so if I was you I would wear a Utd top under the Chelsea top.
ReplyDeleteIf Tony is desperate enough to wear a UTD shirt maybe he should go the whole 9 yards and sing "Blue is the colour" at the crucial moment.
ReplyDeleteIt would be over before he got the words out....
ReplyDeleteI only wore that United shirt for one game and that was because we had to change strip in a hurry due to a clash of colours. It did affect me, for the fifteen minutes I wore it, I found myself chasing after the referee, screaming at him and questioning every decision, even after he awarded us a penalty.
ReplyDeleteBut at least you felt what winning was like...
ReplyDelete