A bit harsh on Hull. There can't be many teams in the top 2 divisions who don't play possession football when allowed to do it. And when they did come forward they pinged it around really crisply (with Varane looking very static) and with a real threat. It was only when we remembered that we have some of the best wing talent in the division that we were able to disrupt their discipline. We should remember that more often.
I had a quick look on my phone, ten seconds later Hull scored their second. 3-1 result if I had left my phone in my coat pocket.
Yeah, I'm not down on Hull in particular, just that style of football. They were happy to pass it around at the back and we were happy to watch them do it. So dull.
After being at the game yesterday and just now watching the highlights, some thoughts: 1. Their first goal just shouldn't have happened, from a goalkeeping perspective. 2. Their second goal involved a blatant foul on JCS, right in front of the ref. But regardless, they had so much freedom because we were not aggressive with our pressure. The goal should never have happened. 3. Our 3rd goal is 100% onside. 4. The late chance that Kolli had is a tricky one: the pass was a little bit behind him and he desperately wanted it to be on his right foot only. He did have Burrell to his left but I think Burrell might not have had time to get a shot away with the incoming defender. I actually think Kolli does quite well with good positioning by the defender in front of him and an excellent close range save by the keeper. Here are the extended highlights:
Hmm... this is a tricky one. For the record, I think Chair is a talented player but, imo, he is flawed in his decision making and needs close coaching. I don't think this one game means he is now the answer. Of course, he had a very good game. But we all know he has good games in him. If we play him on that left side, and especially if we also play Dembele on the other side, it means we play very narrow, with LM and RM both cutting in. Our biggest downfall this season has been playing too slow and too narrow, always giving time for teams to get back in shape. How many blocked shots do you remember this season (and last), where players lose patience and just fire with loads of opposition players in front of them? I personally think Saito is more effective on that left position because he can cut in but also often stretches the game and gets into the box from the far corner. Dembele also had a good game yesterday. Dembele very similar to Chair: clearly talented but too lightweight and awful decision making at times. At times, I still think Smyth is more effective down the right as, again, he both can cut in and go to the goal line (as well as cross). Poku is probably best choice for the right side but is never fit, sadly. So, where would I play Chair? I'd have him swapping with Kone, either through subs or when the other isn't fit to start. Kone and Chair sharing partnership with Burrell, who should always start.
Would’ve been a very, very soft foul on JCS if it was given. Any centre-half should be stronger than that. Bit of a conundrum with the goalkeeper now as there was the goal and nearly another calamity where he was second to a high ball that went just over the bar. Spilled another into a dangerous area. I’d stick with him just because he isn’t Nardi but he didn’t have loads to do and he did most of it badly. The first followed an attack of ours that broke down when Kone managed to mess up a five yard pass. The guy was playing pub football barely 18 months ago and could probably do with not starting for a bit.
I don't think it's about strength... doesn't matter how strong you are, if a player pulls you around by the shoulder mid-movement, you can't keep your balance. Watch from this point of the video: It gives you multiple angles. The worst is the second angle. If the player doesn't pull him, he definitely has a chance to get to the ball. Is the player allowed to pull him like that? No, it's against the rules. Foul. I think they're both good keepers. I just think any keeper can look bad when the defence in front of them is shocking and chaotic. Obviously, both have a mistake in them here and there but if they were both in teams with very solid, well drilled defences, they'd both be made to look like quality keepers.
Strangely enough, nardi probably would have saved that one given he's a great shot stopper, overall he was a bit more reliable though
I get what you’re saying but it’s minimal contact. Smyth’s at Bristol City was more of a foul IMO and we’d have been livid if that was given. Old-fashioned forward play. Speaking of old-fashioned, there was what looked from a long way away a very meaty challenge from Morgan. The sort we’d all be praising a few years ago but looked like one that would lead to handbags normally now and the ref was fine with it which was nice to see. Maybe I just didn’t have a good view of it. Ref in general had a good game I thought. One of Clive’s favourites and been in this league for a long time. Annoying really as I had us to win, Chair to score, lots of Rangers corners and 3+ Hull cards at 45/1
Was all about the result (which it generally is) yesterday. Hamer should have never been beaten on the near post. I actually enjoyed the game for once, especially after that performance at sheff utd.
I think he thought that as well given his slow motion reaction. I was convinced it was an OG because of the time taken to celebrate.
Some reflections with a bit of distance, thanks to England’s cricket team not taking up any thinking space. Chair’s best game for us for a couple of years. I still think we should be easing him out. If Dunne and JCS are the best CBs we have I would be searching for another career if I were Morrison, Cook or Mbengue. Didn’t like this selection. JCS’ attempt for their second goal was laughable. Varane needs to be more positive, but he had a big job to do with the CBs behind him. Madsen his invisible old self yesterday. We haven’t got a decent keeper. Dembele much better than usual. Burrell looked knackered, not as busy as usual but was in the right place at the right time. Kone is out of form and needs some coaching, but he is still better than the alternatives, and him getting stick from fans who were baying for Sinclair Armstrong to play every game is funny. I don’t think Stephan knows his best team. And neither do I. Hull’s lack of ambition cost them. Play off team my arse.
Disagree on Chair. He’s 28, committed himself to the club. That spot on the left is his until someone else demonstrates why it shouldn’t be and much as I like Saito and Smyth they’ve not done that. Even in some of the poor performances recently he’s been the one trying to do something even if it hasn’t come off. Varane winds me up almost every game for something or another but his stats are consistently good. Best player on the pitch by a distance for ‘duels’ if you like that sort of thing. Hard job playing in a 4-4-2 alongside Madsen who for all his improvement isn’t mobile so I’ll forgive him being a bit negative at times with the ball. Wouldn’t surprise me if some spreadsheet nerd has decided we have a higher xG against when he plays longer or forward passes.
I absolutely hate the passing between defenders and keeper, its almost gone back to the late 80's when the keeper could pick it up and they'd roll it to the defender to just pass it back. However... Hulls use of it (and our non-press) demonstrates why its coached. For every 2 of their sideways passes our stikers & midfielders took 2 steps back. Their second goal started from an unchallenged ball from the half way line. They reached the half way line by a series of nothing passes, they literally gained 50 yards by moving it "sideways". Unfortunately our sideways passes are always backwards and slow, opposition press, we panic and pump it into the centre circle. The difference is that their sideways passes started from their keeper and they remain in possession into our half. We start with possesion in their half and through a series of sideways balls end up in a panic, punting it from our corner to the halfway line, invariable to their players.
