Marlon King won't be here. One less to boo. http://www.bcfc.com/news/article/king-to-miss-hull-trip-687046.aspx?
They're all pretty much "must win" at this stage of the season when you're chasing promotion. Really don't see the point in pretending otherwise.
No, it's not life or death. We'll most likely be third this weekend, unless Wolves surprise everyone and actually win a game. Plenty of matches to make up the difference and we have to play all the promotion chasers.
Will we man mark Zigic? - Job for young Bruce? Would expect us to be Stockdale. Chester. Hobbs. Macca. Bruce. Elmo. Meyler. Quinn. Brady. Boyd. Gedo.
It might come too soon for McShane to start, but I'd like to see: Stockdale Elmo Chester Hobbs Bruce Brady Quinn Fathi Meyler Boyd Gedo Subs: Jakupovic, Rosenior, Stewart, Evans, Koren, Simpson, McShane. There's no need to have Bruce in midfield; he isn't a midfielder and Meyler or Fathi can be used to man mark Zigic if needs be.
Nowhere near must win but yes its important that we do Especially if both Palace & Watford drop points tonight. Listening to SB last night it looks like the defence will stay the same. So the only change looks like being Boyd in but for who ? imo it should be Evans. TWT. --------------- O/T News today that Bolton star midfielder Mark Davies (just signed new contract) will be out for upto 9 months. He did his cruciate ligament in tuesday nights win over the Posh. Bloody typical but get well soon.
For those who object to the saying "must win game" how about "this is a game that we really need to take 3 points from in order to be on course to achieve our objective of promotion at the end of the season" ? Thats probably why people say must win game
Definitely must win, every game is now, specially this one as this is one of our 'easier' fixtures out of the remaining games.
Hull City vs Birmingham City 2nd March 2013 KC Stadium, Hull 3:00pm Kick-Off Hull City View attachment 21891 A rather shocking, and quite unusual first 10 minutes at the Reebok last week, saw City fall to a 4-1 defeat at the hands of Bolton Wanderers. Being another niggle in the chase for automatic promotion with Watford capitalising and gaining 2nd spot (on goal difference) with a 2-1 win. The only highlight of the Bolton game, was the introduction of George Boyd, which was welcomed with open arms, and was even many fans Man of the Match when only played most of the 2nd half. Boyd is expected to slot into the starting 11 against the Brummies, with the Tigers looking to get back to winning ways and make it four home wins in a row. City's new Egyptian hitman, Gedo, has publically stated his enjoyment with life here in East Yorkshire and his wish to earn a permanent stay. Cameron Stewart has joined Blackburn on loan in hopes of returning to his previous form. The debate amongst fans will primarily be who will play in the midfield 3, obviously with George Boyd expecting to start, that means Koren may have to drop back in midfield or onto the bench. Paul McShane and Abdoulaye Faye have returned from their injuries, meaning Alex Bruce may slip back into the holding midfield position or onto the bench. Ahmed Fathi, Corry Evans and David Meyler are also perfectly capable of starting in that role. All 3 points would be much appreciated with difficult away matches at fellow Promotion rivals Crystal Palace and the infamous bogey team Burnley. Birmingham City View attachment 21893 With Birmingham still lingering at the wrong end of the Division, their fans are beginning to lose faith in the side's aspirations this Season. They managed a 2-0 victory over Peterborough to earn their 3rd win in 7 games. Top goalscorer Marlon King has been ruled out of a return to the KC Stadium, but the unmistakeable presence of Nikola Zigic will be a thorn in City's defence. Birmingham are unbeaten away in 2013, playing 4 games, drawing 2 and winning 2, but will have to battle past a resolute Hull City defence who have managed 8 clean sheets on their own turf. Birmingham will be hoping that their creative players such as Wade Elliott and Chris Burke will be able to pick out a smash and grab result to help push for a more respectable finishing position. Birmingham almost fought back from 3-0 down at St. Andrews Stadium in the previous fixture, in which former youngster Sone Aluko scored a brace. Interesting Facts - The Tigers haven't managed to do the double over Birmingham since the 1909/10 Season. - Hull are unbeaten in the last 4 fixtures against Birmingham in both the Championship and the Premier League. - Birmingham are unbeaten on their travels in 2013 Top Scorers Hull City - Sone Aluko (8), Robert Koren (7), Jay Simpson (6), David Meyler (4), Abdoulaye Faye (4) Birmingham City - Marlon King 14, Nikola Zigic (7), Curtis Davies (5), Wade Elliott (5), Chris Burke (5) Ones to watch - Mohammed Nagy (A.K.A Gedo) - The Egyptian star fast won the hearts of the Tigers fans, netting 3 goals in 5 games and looks to be the real deal. His first touch, positioning, work rate and attitude is a glory to witness. Birmingham defenders will need to be on full awareness when dealing with this dangerous poacher. Curtis Davies will probably be the man to keep tabs on him. - Ahmed Elmohamady - Another of the Egyptian contingent in Tigers colours, with the ability to deliver a delicious cross and create numerous chances. Seems to have upped his game even more with the arrivals of Ahmed Fathi and Gedo. Has the ability to beat his full back, and link up play is brilliant. - George Boyd - Peterborough fans were gutted to see their main man leave, but after controversially failing an eye test, Steve Bruce swiftly moved in for the attacking midfielder. He seemed to be the only positive of the Bolton match and will look to be firing his new side to the Premier League. - Nikola Zigic - The 6' 7 monster is a handful for defenders and a huge distraction. He had just recently been dropped for allegedly having an awful attitude in training, but featured in their last two games. He will be hard to contain without Abdoulaye Faye in the starting line up. - Chris Burke - Birmingham's star man. The winger/midfielder has the ability to score, assist, take-on and torment any opponent and has been crucial to aiding Birmingham's more positive results this Season. Will definitely need to be contained in order to minimise chances and their supply to the front men.
Didn't realise this was on the board... Merge with this? http://www.not606.com/showthread.php/199042-Hull-City-vs-Birmingham-City-Match-Preview
Now you've made changes to your preview, I want to change my vote on the other thread... Oh, and I think it'll be Hull 2-0 Birmingham. Boyd and Quinn scoring.
