I haven't posted in ages. Wasn't at the game on Saturday and with all the articles being posted about Nicky B, rightly so. I have struggled to gauge how the team played. Gulacsi, how did he perform? Last match I attended was Leeds away where I was sat amongst the Leeds fans and it was highly embarrassing to watch him. Cameron Stewart, did he carry on his blistering form from last year? Does he look like our main attacking threat again? Fryatt, Is he looking like finding any of the form he had back end of last season? Brady, early season he looked like a real gem but seems to have quietened down now? How did he do when he came on? Final silly question maybe but did Barmby stick with Pearsons golden boy Hobbs as captain? If so would you change it? Personally I was over the moon to see 433 being played, switch a fully performing Brady with Mclean and I think we have a great first XI. Barmby Army
Gulasci did okay, but he still looks flappy and the sooner we get Basso back, the better. Stewart looked good, it was obviously his first competitive game for nine months, but you couldn't really tell and he looks like he'll be exactly the player he was before. Fryatt had a very good game, worked hard and was involved in a lot of the good moves, well taken goal too. Brady didn't do a great deal when he came on, he doesn't pose nearly as much of a threat as Stewart, though he did test the keeper with one good strike. Barmby did stick with Hobbs as captain and I'd have been surprised if he hadn't, now isn't the time to go mixing things up. Brady will probably come in for Mclean against Burnley, though he doesn't work hard enough for my liking and I think that formation won't work as well without the work rate of Mclean.
Yes, he doesn't know what he's talking about. Mclean worked hard(as normal) on Saturday and in a 4-3-3 having a worker like him as one of the front three does help, but some of his touches were poor and his finishing was cack. I think it's hard to pick a MotM from Saturday, the whole team played well, Koren directed things, Fryatt worked hard and showed some class, Stewart put the wind up them a few times, McKenna was solid in the middle and Rosenior and Dudgeon were excellent. Personally, I'd have given it to Dudgeon.
I can only see the goals from where I am but imo our passing looks really slick. I've not seen city pass teams off the park like this. I'm not saying we're barcelona but what a change from the days where we'd hoof it up to venegoor or cousin. We should convert more but we're certainly creating great moves and it's nice to see.
Hard to pick and MoM on Saturday as the whole team performed well. My choice was McKenna as he seemed to be the fulcrum in midfield that provided cohesion when Derby had the ball and allowed the likes of Stewart, Koren and Fryatt to attack. Thought Stewart was tentative at first, understandable after 9 months out. He grew into the game, looked back to his pre-injury level and was subbed at the right time. Gulacsi seems to have lost the confidence of the defence. There were a couple of times when he looked to have a situation covered and the defenders took it away from him. Maybe poor communication, or maybe defenders not trusting him. Whatever, it was the only time we looked at all vunerable. A consumate performance.
From the OWS http://www.hullcityafc.net/page/NewsDetail/0,,10338~2522607,00.html Nice to hear Stewart saying the team are behind Barmby. I don't think there's any sign that him and the other ex-Man U lads feel any allegiance towards Pearson.
I think the feeling around the team (bar fryatt, hobbs and waghorn) is that while they respected NP as a manager, NB is "one of them" he's gotta have a very good relationship with most players from his past status and I think that's the reason we're hearing feedback like that. I wouldn't be surprised if hobbs and Fryatt (after all they both retained their place and captaincy respectively) thought this wasn't such a bad change. They all know him already, it's not like a new manager coming in and disrupting things... it's kind of like "let's just keep going the way we have been but I'll also add a couple extra touches along the way"
Commitment was never in doubt @ Derby on saturday! In fact NP's golden boys Hobbs & Fryatt had their best games this season IMO
I agree, and it is good that NB is one of the boys, but is prepared to tell people that they are out of line, as he did with Bullard. He need to have a good relationship with the players, which he obviously does, but at the same time have the authority to get the players respect.
and the fans respect, which was in no question @ Derby! Here's hoping the KC crowd will be just as supportive
I think we all feel pretty relieved after that performance. I'm just hoping we get a good solid follow-up against Burnley which will be a completely different game and another test of NB's tactical nous.
