If Hobbs is 50/50 then I wouldn't risk him - just go 4-4-2. Hope we don't suffer any further centre half injuries, or play Fathi/Rosenior on the right of the back '3' the position can't be so different from RB or RWB?
Unashamedly knicked from one of our fans websites but this is always a darn good read HULL CITY HarryfromBath assesses the mood in the opposition camp ahead of Saturday's game by delving into their forums. “Ten points from fifteen for City, and it should be a job done, or is it?” Steve Bruce “Steve Bruce knows more about the game than any of us. I have complete faith in his ability to get the best out of what he has available”, “In Steve Bruce I trust. Football at professional level is a game of chess”. “This squad would play in Azerbaijan on a Tuesday night at midnight and in goal if Bruce asked him. They believe in him and he knows how to treat pros”. Two managers who are well-loved by their teams supporters will shake hands on Saturday. “Just who is fit?” “This is just like the Memphis Belle. I hope we make it to the runway”, ”It’s a credit to our team that we are challenging for automatic with our injury problems”, “We are literally limping over the line”, “We have almost got a better side on the treatment table than on the pitch”. “What can you do with all the injuries being sustained on a weekly basis? A lot of it is down to pressure and nerves. They know they are so near now, and it is getting to them”, “A fair few of them are playing far more games this season than they have ever done before”. The Tactical Overview in One Sentence The Right Formation Goalkeeper and Central Defence “David Stockdale had his best game for us today [against Middlesbrough]”. The former Ipswich loanee keeper is now on loan from Fulham until the end of the season. “It’s crucial he stays fit for us”, “He makes fantastic reaction saves. He punched when he should punch, and caught when he should catch. He is nice and vocal too”. Former Hammer Abdoulaye Faye was the unanimous Man of the Match in the Tigers 1-0 victory on Saturday. The 32-year old Senegalese international was “a joy to watch”, “a rock”, ”colossal” and “a beast” playing as a centre-back. “If we don’t go up, I’m certain he’ll be off”. Manchester United youth product James Chester “has the respect of every City fan”, “He was first class as usual - typical of his usual high standards” on Saturday. “He’s comfy on the ball, always uses it well, and is defensively sound”. Central Midfield “Stephen Quinn never stopped working for the team. He ran his bollocks off”. The 27-year-old former Blade was “all over the bloody place” and was constantly praised for his relentless energy. He could play as a left-sided midfielder if a switch to 4-4-2 is required. “Quininho was “all over the shop, defending, attacking, pushing City forward and bringing players into the game. He works for the shirt”. “Meyler will be back for Ipswich. He’s a high energy player who gets in the box”. Ex-Sunderland man David Meyler adds an attacking dimension to midfield . Some Tigers are nervous of the Republic of Ireland International: “Unless Meyler’s told to be cautious with his bursts forward and to focus on helping his defence out a bit, it won’t happen.” Northern Ireland International Corry Evans “gains us so much possession and space, allowing us to pass it around the back three or four and midfield, rather than give the ball away. He comes up with important tackles and clearances”. The 22-year-old is highly regarded for his defensive qualities. “What has happened to Robert Koren this season? Age? Desire? He can’t even be bothered to shoot. He shouldn’t be anywhere near the team. His attitude stinks”. The former Baggie and Slovenian international has been hammered for his lethargic and slipshod performances. “Robert Koren – don’t even ask me what I think of you. I might not be able to give you answer you want me to”. The 32-year-old is “completely lacking in energy and quality on the ball”. “Tom Cairney is only the answer if the question is ‘who was Bradford City’s Player of the Year in 2015?’”. Tigers believe that the former Leeds United trainee is out of his depth. “He’s good at picking the ball up from the back three and keeping it ticking over. I’m not so sure about his ability charging forwards, in the air and having midfielders running at him”. “Cairney’s huge upside is that his passing is excellent and his set pieces are still probably the best in the club. His weaknesses, which are a lack of work ethic, and willingness to do the dirty work off the ball simply haven’t been addressed”. On the Flanks “An excellent player with a lot of heart, who happens to be the one to make have made way for our system this year”. The former ITFC loanee Liam Rosenior has been sacrificed when playing with wing-backs, despite turning in quality energetic performances. “Rosie looked solid”, “You could see he wanted to play so badly”, “He was hungry and potent going forward”. “It’s not too much of a problem if we go to four at the back, because Rosie’s a good right back, and Elmohamady doesn’t have to defend”, “We have pace to burn on the right with Rosie and Elmo both there”. Twenty-five-year-old Ahmed Elmohamady has been playing as a right wing-back in the five-man midfield this season. “Elmo didn’t have a great game because he had a slight knock (on Saturday)”, “I was shocked he hadn’t been subbed at one point”, “Elmo looked f***ed and got pushed all the way back to the halfway line. He didn’t seem to be able to raise a gallop”. Former Manchester United player and Republic of Ireland international Robbie Brady can play either as a full-back, wing-back or midfielder on the left flank. “He’s coming on well. On Saturday, he was his usual dangerous attack-minded self, while not forgetting his defensive duties”, “When Quinn came on, Brady came alive (on Saturday)”. “Brady has pace, good moves and strikes the ball well”. He scored the winner from a freekick on Saturday. “If the Middlesbrough midfielder [and former Blue] Grant Leadbitter had stayed ten yards back, that gap wouldn’t have been there for Brady to squeeze it through”. “Where do we play Fahti? He has looked really fast, won most headers, directed them towards our players and generally looked good”, “Can’t see why Fahti hasn’t been given more of a chance. He looked very composed and tidy on the ball, all of the things Koren hasn’t been this season”. The Egypt International is a talented fringe player, but Hull fans are unsure where to play him. Strikers “We all have seen what has affected City for virtually the last three years – our inability to score. I can’t see us fixing that overnight”, “With the possession we get, we should be offering more of a goal threat”. Hull are joint-eighth in goals scored this season, despite being second in the table. They have scored two fewer than relegation threatened Peterborough. Arsenal academy graduate Jay Simpson’s has scored once in 25 games. “On the rare occasion he does get the ball on target, he has the frustrating knack of mis-hitting the bloody ball because his balance is all awry”, “It’s bizarre how a decent footballer can sometimes struggle to score”. “I’m still trying to work out how he missed that open goal against Boro”, “You and 18,000 others”, “When is his next goal coming. September? Christmas?” “Barmby wanted to play him as an attacking midfielder, but he wasn’t up for it, and they ended up falling out over it”, “Simpson’s value has perhaps been more evident in hard-fought away games than our sweeping performances”. “Boyd can’t get them all on his own. Are we saying that it doesn’t matter if Simmo doesn’t score as Boyd will?”. George Boyd has become a hit since he joined Hull on loan from Peterborough in January, after controversially failing an eye test for Forest: “Put Boyd in front and he will score goals for us.” “A flash in the pan”, Al Ahly loanee Gedo “seems to have run dry of goals after such an impressive start”. The Egyptian International “was awful last week” and “didn’t look with it at Watford. Maybe we’re asking too much of him”. Hull Fans' Views on ITFC and the Game There has been a good news-bad news riff taking place on Tigers websites this week when discussing Saturday’s game. “The good thing about Ipswich is the fact that they are six points from the drop and 14th [now 15th]. They think they are safe and have less to play for”, “Six points clear is not safe, and they will know it”. “It isn’t safe, but when you are above ten teams with five games left it isn’t far from safe. They will not think for one moment that they are going down”, “Hang on. Ipswich have gained exactly the same number of points in their last twelve games as we have, and in that time they have only conceded four goals. I think that this is the hardest of our last five games”. This was also this interesting exchange: “Ipswich are in some form at the moment, something like eight clean sheets in the last 11, so we need all the potency we can get our hands on especially as we're averaging less than a goal a game since Birmingham (in early March)”. “According to two of our lot [at work] who are Ipswich fans they're still not playing well - sh*t was the actual description - but they somehow are winning games. Actually that doesn't make me feel any better at all thinking about it!” “McCarthy is working his magic again. This guy is a footballing genius in my mind”, “The guy’s record speaks for itself. I was desperate for him to manage us, but I’m glad we’ve got Brucey”. Our manager was highly praised: “Ipswich are much improved under Mick McCarthy, and it is never an easy pace to get a win.” Hull City Fans' Views on a Successful Season “That’s the Hull psyche. Second with six games left and people are moaning like f***. I have supported City for 41 years and we have the best manager and side in my time. Thirty years ago in the dark days of Division Four, and the dark, dark days of Dolan, we’d have cut our cocks off for a team like this one. Enjoy this team play because if we don’t go up, you won’t see them in a City shirt again”.
I'd probably go for: Stockdale Rosie Chester Faye Brady Elmo Meyler Evans Quinn Boyd Simpson Depending on fitness, I imagine Bruce will do the same (maybe Koren for Evans). Though, I would maybe make changes if Fathi can play down the left wing well, or if Proschwitz is up for it (given that the full back and winger pairings both promise plenty of crosses).
I would go Stockdale Rosie Chester Faye Brady Fathi Elmo Myler Quinn Simpson Boyd Ive got to say if Hobbs was fit i would go with him, regarding fathi its a gamble because even though he as a good reputation i have not seen enough of him to judge him properly. Lets not forget he can also play at right back and link up with Elmo on the wing
I would keep 3-5-2 Stockdale Chester Faye Fathi Elmo Meyler Evans Quinn Brady Boyd Simpson (if Gedo isn't fit) However, it will probably be this Stockdale Rosenoir Chester Faye Brady Elmo Meyler Evans Quinn Boyd Simpson
..........Stockdale........... Rosie Chester Faye Brady Elmo Meyler Fathi Quinn ...... Boyd Simpson..... Some of our team are running on empty, Elmo is the most important one,that needs a break but with Rosie behind him he can play as a proper winger,taking off some of the workload. Koren is clearly knackered so i did have the temptation to just replace him with Cairney,who iv'e always thought is a like for like shoe in.
When you play in the EPL next season are you going to tell the Egg Chasers to feck off to stop them from ruining your pitch?
Without a doubt and this being the First game of 3 in 7 days, Squad rotation and freshness has to be key. So my starting team would be thus : - Stockdale Rosenoir Chester Faye(c) Brady Elmohamady Meyler Evans Quinn Boyd Simpson 4-4-2 for this game. I would not risk Hobbs as a starter. subs:- Jakupovic - Fathi - Hobbs - Cairney - Koren - Proschwitz - Fryatt. good strong bench despite the many injuries. City to Win another 1-0 game imo.
I'd go 4-4-2 with:- Stockdale Rosenoir Chester Faye Brady Elmo Meyler Evans Quinn Boyd Simpson Subs:- Jacko, Hobbs, Fathi, Cairney, Koren, Prossi, Fryatt.
