Decent, balanced piece tbf ..... (the bit I've put in bold made me smile - was it meant a bit tongue in cheek?!?). https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/spo...ews/liam-rosenior-hull-city-wednesday-8667460 Since Liam Rosenior took charge of Hull City in November last year, things on and off the pitch have gone relatively well with positivity growing around the MKM Stadium. The ship he inherited had been steadied by Andy Dawson following Shota Arveladze's haphazard tenure, and under the ex-Derby County coach, City found a way to close the back door and vastly improve the EFL's leakiest defence. Results turned, a style of play was brought in and all in the garden seemed rosy. Though wins were hard to come by, City were not losing with the regularity they were prior to his arrival, and with his self-proclaimed unique style of play at the forefront. A much more reasoned summer of recruitment has since followed, and going into the new campaign, there was a steely belief that the squad was in a good place, particularly, if the final few transfer targets can be delivered before the window shuts. Now, for the first time, Rosenior is maybe facing the biggest question since taking charge. Saturday's 2-1 defeat at Norwich City was frustrating on two counts, one because the Tigers lost and secondly because of the nature of the loss, and how it came about in the closing stages. It was the first game of a long, long season, and what happens in the first game means little moving forward, but it was the manner of Tuesday night's defeat to Doncaster Rovers which has left scars and perhaps raised one or two uncomfortable questions at such an early juncture from some supporters not yet fully behind his ethos. When Oscar Estupinan prodded City a goal in front after just three minutes, nobody inside the MKM Stadium could foresee what would develop thereafter, and in truth, nor should it have done. Rosenior's men should have built on that and delivered an assured, controlled performance and a safe passage into Round Two. Once George Miller turned in the equaliser on the quarter-hour mark, City imploded, Matt Ingram saw more of the ball than any goalkeeper in living memory, and throughout the first half, their slow, pedestrian football increasingly angered the supporters and they made their feelings known. Jeered off at the break, things only got worse in the second half when Miller fortuitously netted his second and the winning goal to dump the Tigers out, cue more boos at full-time, and perhaps, justifiably so. Rosenior has always spoken positively of his group of players, particularly throughout the summer, but the Doncaster game was in some ways, a continuation of what we saw at Scunthorpe United, and at spells elsewhere through pre-season. Yes, that was a friendly towards the end of a busy schedule, but that cannot be used as an excuse. Rosenior was furious with the way his side went about that task, particularly in the first half, and there were stark similarities on Tuesday night. His players were not at it, and that was a theme we saw again here, which has to generate one or two worrying signs, even for the most optimistic. For Rosenior's brand of football to be a success, not only does he need the backing and belief of the players, but he also needs the supporters to buy into it, to show support and patience., especially when things aren't going so well and he'll be desperate for a near-capacity crowd to back him on Saturday, especially if things were to go awry. The road the supporters have travelled down has been a little bumpier, with a nervousness evident at times during games but as time wore on last season, there was a growing acceptance, particularly when City were playing progressive, forward-thinking football that would often lead to chances, and sometimes, goals. On Tuesday, Ingram would often be stood motionless on the edge of the box, ball at his feet for what felt like an eternity, waiting for something to happen while the 10 outfield amber shirts stood like statues to admire his all-green attire - not a patch on the pink offering, however - and understandably, fans moaned which then had an impact on the players. When the fans turned, his players crumbled, not knowing what to do. They went into their shells. Nobody wanted the ball, there were few, if any, who had the courage to come and take the ball, and wrestle back the initiative. With the greatest of respects, that was against a League Two side in front of 6,500 people. What happens when it's 25,000 here against Leeds, or 45,000 at Sunderland? We saw last season at the Stadium of Light as one example, that City's players had the stomach for it, that they believed in the principles of their manager and the system. Now, after one game against fourth-division opposition, his players were accused of throwing in the towel, and that cannot be allowed to happen again. It was no surprise that Rosenior branded it the longest 90 minutes of his career, it wasn't a walk in the park for those supporters who'd raced home from work to get there to watch it with the privilege of paying £15 to see it. A game against Sheffield Wednesday is next on the agenda, and barring the visit of Leeds United, it's probably the biggest home game of the campaign for the supporters, it means something, more than most. The club have worked tirelessly to generate goodwill from the supporters, and that still remains, but confidence in on-pitch matters is generated by performances and results, and Saturday requires the players to grab the bull by the horns and deliver a performance full of energy, of pride and passion. Patience is needed, City remain a work in progress and if, as we expect, Rosenior pulls off two or three significant transfer coups next week then the buzz will be regained, particularly if his side can beat their old foes on Saturday. Seasons are not decided over the first weekend or indeed over the first month. Ten games is a good marking point, but until the window is closed, we don't really know what Rosenior's squad will actually look like, and that's an important thing to note. You can never be assured of any result in football, but what this team needs to do after the horrors of Tuesday night is go out against Wednesday and win back some of the trust that was lost in midweek.
I hope we get a good reaction from the lads today and they tear into SW. I can’t believe I’m missing the opening home game but I’m at Wembley today. There in body and full throated support for the Robins, but the spirit will be at the MKM. Let’s hope a good day all round.
I've somehow managed to select the wrong option in the above poll(hit draw instead of a 'City Win'). Contacted technical support '@Chazz,always happy to help'and received a rather obscure answer to my problem,as in,"**** off you blind twat,I'm busy finishing off last-nights conquest"... Charming!!!
Life’s all about choices, we should all strive to make good choices… however, unfortunately… good luck anyway
The fickle fan of today will attend due to paying a season ticket,the fickle fans of yesteryear just stayed away from the 'pay at the gate' turnstiles after a couple of lacklustre performances...
It looks like Vinagre may well be out, so Greaves moves to left back, Macca comes in central. Move Traore central where he belongs, in place of Tufan and stick Lokilo on the wing. More jiggling required if Vaughan’s out as well.
I’m expecting a big reactionary performance today and a comfortable win, with a complete change in mood following. That Donny defeat must serve as a giant boot up the arse for the whole team, players and coaching staff.
Hope she doesn't see a female police officer that looks like her nana. The views expressed in my posts are not necessarily mine.
I think the performance today will tell us a hell of a lot in regards to what's happening in the squad. If the performance is anything like Tuesday then it really won't look good for LR ( or the players TBF )
