Good write up by Mark Walmsley.
Not least the fish & 'chips', and also the singling out of Joseph - I hope Destan is a decent back up for McBurnie because Joseph is nowhere near. At least Lundstram speaks highly of Destan so that gives hope.
Mark Walmsley·
14h·
Fish & Chips From Row Z.
What a crazy day that was. Been looking forward to the first home game of the season for ages and my word it didn't disappoint. From our last home game in front of 24,541 fans under Selles, losing 1-0 back in April to a thrilling 3-2 win under Jakirović just 4 months later is like chalk and cheese, land and sea or Spain and Serbia.
Started off in the Legends Bar which was a first for me since the refurbish and must say what a more pleasant place it is. More of a lounge / bar feel that a bus depot driver's canteen I considered it before, smart scheme, loads of sports screens, great beer, £6 (ish) a pint of Madri and nice high bar-stools and benches to perch against.
Feeling refreshed the next stop was my Upper West for the newly appointed "Fish & Chips" and expecting great things. According to the Kiosk manager, the choice between the fish and chicken dish vote was just 1% in favour of the Hull Classic although without mushy peas and scraps in favour of a bit of lemon and tartar sauce which no doubt added that certain "je ne sais quoi" that usually adds a fiver on the end cost due to our inverted snobbery and forked out my £10:95.
But what did we get? Fish and Waffle Fries buried in chip spice. No chips, not a sign. And warm at best. Massively dissapointed and next time I fancy F&C I'll be going back to Viking on Anlaby Rd.
However, I digress. Pre-game seemed a bit odd as we warmed up in the North Stand end of the pitch instead of our usual South Stand end, and then the new announcer who looked like a mini Andrew Clark (who's in charge of media) absolutely belted out a Steven Jordon style "Good Afternoon South...Stand" Etc etc welcome with mucho Gusto which lifted the crowd but no more so than our "Tiger's Tiger's Burning Bright mantra that was all part of the pre-cursor to what we now know was a very happy end to the afternoon.
"At last, Kamara has been replaced" I though when I saw Gelhardt and joy of joys, no Joseph and the first home start of Oli McBurnie who has shown a lot of chomping at the bit and had now got his chance. Like everyone I assume I couldn't believe what I was watching straight from the kick of. Like a dog out the traps and just 1:09 mins in, Gelhardt had ferreted in our 1st goal after a lightening attack down the right involving Drameh, and McBurnie and the football along with our upbeat tempo never wained from their during the first half.
I can honestly say that for the majority of the game I never had one player (*) as "not as good as the rest. Drameh, faultless, Giles inspirational, Hughes a mountain, Palmer a beast and his crosses from corners were incredible although his final passes in the second half started to fall away and agree with him being subbed. Gelhardt ran his lungs out and at last. We have a Striker who actually performs as a Striker in Oli McBurnie.
Crooks worked his socks off today but am worried about his clash because he never goes in half hearted. It's either kill of be killed with him but sadly he took what seemed to be a bad knock on his ankle that saw him taken off. Ironically When McBurnie scored he was the first out the dug out, socks falling off his feet, ice pack on his shin and outstripped all others in record speed for a limp race. The whole situation went nuts after Oli scored the winner, crowd, bench, dugout even staff racing out the tunnel to join him on the North/West corner flag.
To be fair on Oxford they were no mugs and every attack looked like we would concede and probably the best executions of volleys I've seen from a side, 2 of which slammed in the back of the net and 1 that was stopped by Hughes Face in the second half.
For those that noticed (*) above. That's an "apart from". And that player is Joseph. A great tribute to take Oli off for a personal and very well deserved round of applause which was in effect a standing ovation but sorry to say that Joseph doesn't come close. Another golden chance just waiting for Kyle to bury a ball that sat up and begged to be hammered went unharmed as poor Joseph appeared to get tangled up with fresh air and hit the deck without so much as a hint of a touch on the ball.
Sergej, cool throughout, very positive, football was a superb style to watch, and a quick mention to now boy Akintola who completed more step overs than a clog dancer doing the Double Dutch was certainly playing to please. Very busy, energetic and very nearly...Getting on the score sheet in the dying seconds. He'll be a solid player when he beds in IMO.
I think our worries and fears of not having a squad to compete have been reassured after the last few games but certainly after a great start at the MKM for this season. Bring on January and the next Embargo.
Up The Tigers.
Down with the Fish & Chips.
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Bring on Rovers of Blackburn.
