Interesting that Still thought they were in control. They had a lot of the ball but aside from the opening 10 minutes of the second half I can’t ever really think of a period where I thought we might concede. They really didn’t do a lot with all their possession. That was a proper Championship performance today from us. So nice to see a side get stuck in and really battle, with the odd bit of flair here and there. McBurnie has completely changed this side, we’ve finally got a threat up top that the opposition defence has to worry about. The balls in from both full backs are attacked and as soon as they think they’ve got Oli quiet, Gelhardt pops up to become a secondary threat. Good work. I thought the midfield was better today but still some work to do to tighten up just before our box. Special mention for Joseph whose effort alone deserved a goal, I’m really pleased he’s had a good start to the season. Looking forward to the next game, been a while since I’ve said that.
I didn't think he really affected the game badly but had some bizarre moments. That whole performance at kickoff, making everyone wait for about two minutes, then he checked with both keepers, then waited another thirty seconds or so. Then immediately gave us a free kick that I don't think he could possibly have seen, when we were about to attack the ball in the air from our own kickoff anyway. Not letting Southampton play advantage when Lundstram pulled their guy's shorts off. Obviously a booking but such an obvious advantage and he somehow didn't see it, luckily for us. That weird bit where Akintola ran about 20 yards being hung onto, he randomly stopped the game just when Dave seemed to have got away, made us wait another minute or so and then restarted with a Saints free kick from back where he started his run: what the ****? There was another one where he gave a foul against us even though he'd been looking the other way and couldn't possibly have seen anything. McBurnie keenly pointed that out to him. Just weird all round considering there wasn't a big decision to make in the game.
Soton were like watching some of our bad games under Rosey, loads of possession but so poor around the box, there was one spell in Frist half when they passed up 3 great opportunities to put a ball in the box, instead recycling it coming back out, we did a number on them, sat deep and proper walloped them on the break, no surprise to see we had just over double their xG, until their goal I can't remember Pandur being challenged tbh
I think the delay at the start was our fault, we'd done music and everything too early and he had to wait til 3 for us to kick off!
The ref was ****ing terrible and so was the lino on the East Stand side. The lino on the other side was fine. It isn’t blaming the ref out of bitterness either as we won. He really was that bad.
The only thing that disappointed me today was the lack of corners. Had a little bet on city win McBurnie to score/assist city to have most cards and corners
When Southampton had that spell of pressure at the start of the second half it galvanised our defence, the determination was brilliant then we found our counter attacks and it was the threat from McBurnie that pushed us out so directly, no stalled ponsing around their box tippy tapp but smash, bang, wallop, splendid counter attacking football, a joy.
Reminiscent of City for the last 18 months i thought. Lots of passing around at the back, very little cutting edge. Controlling the ball with **** all end product The only time they looked like they could score before it was 3-0 was that breakaway towards the end of the first half where their striker ran through between the CBs. Even in that 10 minute spell to start the second half where they were giving us constant pressure, I don't think Pandur made a save (although i may be misremembering)
Will still has spent about £50m on transfers this summer and they all played today I know who id rather have
SKY version... The managers Hull's Sergej Jakirovic: "I cannot be angry when you watch the whole game, to win 3-1 against Southampton is good. "I was very angry when we conceded a goal, it was very important to have a clean sheet. 'I'm happy because the players showed great energy and intensity. We changed it in the second half, and after the second goal we tried to play more on the ball and with confidence. "It was important that we tried to make crosses and put pressure on them, and we scored two goals. We defended our box very well. "You need to adapt in this league and when the ball goes into the box you don't know where it could bounce." Southampton's Will Still: "It was incredibly disappointing. For large parts of that game we were in control and doing the right things. Football games are won in both boxes and we were poor there. "The first goal we have gifted them a goal. You are totally in control and then you gift them a second goal by losing the ball on the halfway line. Then you concede at a set piece. "We need to get it right because we are good enough. Apologies to the fans who travelled all that way for that. "You work so hard on defensive aspects of things but we're not quite believing that we can score that goal. "We are not making first contacts with balls which come in the box. We should not be conceding the sort of goals we conceded. "We can't keep conceding goals and making it easy for the opposition."
I might be going a bit OTT but some of Giles crosses are world class. The pace, bend and accuracy behind the defensive line make them a strikers dream.
Very good win, they had a lot of possession, second goal was massive, I thought the defence overall was outstanding, the shape of the side was good. Coyle but two great crosses in for the goals. Some very good performances and the big difference was, we took our chances. The only downside was Belloumi going off injured. Enjoy everybody.
I’ve never seen a ref physically get in the way as much as this one. Constantly blocking our players runs, both offensive and defensive.
I don't think Giles is a one trick pony but this is his obvious strength. How frustrated must he have been last couple of seasons to play in a system which simply didn't allow him to play like he's currently playing?
He was poor for Boro as well to be fair. Obvs confidence will be a massive factor and credit to Jakirovic for getting him focussed.
Game kicked off at 14.56....4 minutes early....Very bizarre. Ref was terrible....Gone is any notion that it's still a contact sport.
