Not sure Robbo is the most valuable player. No CB likes getting exposed against pace, bit harsh on Dawson that and Dutch will go mental at point 6..... http://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/thin...s-season-far/story-23063539-detail/story.html 1) Jelavic is the real deal up-front Nikica Jelavic has started the season in fine form, scoring four goals in his seven Premier League matches so far. Over the course of a 38-game campaign, that ratio would see him bag 21 goals. While it would be some effort for him to hit such heights (only three players reached the 20-goal mark last season), Jelavic now looks every inch the regular goalscorer City have been craving. Having retired from international football this weekend, the Croatian can focus wholly on City and it will surely not be long before he becomes the Tigers' record goalscorer in the top-flight, surpassing Geovanni. 2) Donât expose Dawson to pace The start of Michael Dawsonâs City career has been a baptism of fire. The former Spurs man fared badly on his debut at Aston Villa and also struggled in the recent defeat to Manchester City. In both games, he was exposed to pace, as both Gabby Agbonlahor and Sergio Aguero will gleefully testify. The return of James Chester in Saturdayâs win over Palace helped Dawson no end and he looked much more comfortable in the middle of a back three. 3) Andy Robertson is the deal of the summer Not many City fans will have heard of Andy Robertson this time last year but right now he is arguably the most valuable member of the squad. The 20-year-old has taken to the Premier League like the proverbial duck to water and he looks to have a very bright future ahead of him. Although the young Scot is far from the finished article, he possesses all the raw attributes needed to make his City career a successful one. The £2.85m paid to Dundee United for his services is increasingly looking like the deal of the summer. 4) Hull City havenât missed Shane Long When Shane Long made his £12m move from City to Southampton, the consensus among supporters was: âGreat deal for the club, but heâll be missed.â But the Irishmanâs name has barely been mentioned since his move down south. City have adapted well to life after Long and the partnership of Nikica Jelavic and Abel Hernandez has shown early promise. The Uruguayan doesnât boast Longâs work-rate but he possesses much more of a goal threat, something City lacked at times last season. 5) Cup failings have left fans wanting more Despite a few fears about its impact on the domestic campaign, most fans were excited at the prospect of playing in Europe, so a failure to reach the group stages was a bitter pill to swallow, especially after trips to Slovakia and Belgium whetted the appetite. And after last season's FA Cup exploits exposed fans to the joys of knockout football for the first time in many-a-year, going out of the League Cup at the first time of asking has left the fixture list looking rather light and Bruce's squad looking a little bloated. 6) North Stand switch has improved the atmosphere Although the decision to move home fans to the North Stand wasnât universally popular to begin with, it has grown on supporters, partly because the atmosphere at the KC has markedly improved. Fanzine site Amber Nectar has suggested City should attack towards the North Stand in the second half and that seems to make sense. Six of City's seven league goals have come at that end and while the North Stand may not exactly resemble Borussia Dortmundâs âYellow Wallâ, it is considerably more vocal than the rest of the ground. 7) Diame has been an attacking revelation Of Steve Bruceâs four deadline-day signings, supporters likely viewed Mohamed Diame as the least exciting. But the Senegalese midfielder has undoubtedly had the biggest influence. He has excelled in the final third, netting three goals in his four games, and looks every bit the complete midfielder. Diame has been the driving force in the City midfield and with Tom Huddlestone and Jake Livermore sitting behind him, he has had the freedom to express himself. The £3.5m fee paid to West Ham already looks a steal. 8) City's squad has never been so international No less than 13 City players were called up by their countries in the past week. The World Cup in Brazil saw Nikica Jelavic and Maynor Figueroa represent Croatia and Honduras respectively and Steve Bruce has since added players from Senegal, Uruguay and France. The core of the squad that has served Bruce so well remains British and Irish, however, providing a blend that, after a slightly rocky start, should see City go from strength to strength this season. 9) Further loan departures can be expected With only Premier League games to be played between now and January, Steve Bruce will inevitably look to offload some members of his squad on loan. Yannick Sagbo joined Wolves last week and more departures can be expected. With four new arrivals on deadline day, City have a number of players in need of games. Paul McShane, Harry Maguire, David Meyler, Tom Ince and Sone Aluko all failed to make the bench on Saturday and it may suit everyone if they get a run-out or two elsewhere. 10) The fun factor is back at the KC Hull City have been, if nothing else, fun to watch this season. There have been goals galore so far this campaign â both for and against. Only five teams have bettered Cityâs tally of 11 league goals and if Bruceâs men can keep this up they will be pushing 60 goals come May. The Tigers have also conceded 11 goals, at an average of 1.57 per game, which is slightly more than last year, when they let in 53 in total. The challenge for Bruce right now is to find that balance between attack and defence, something he largely achieved in the win over Crystal Palace.
1. Jelavic is the real deal up-front....Tries hard and puts a shift in..If he can gell with Abel, then it looks okay. 2) Donât expose Dawson to pace... Did you ever wonder why Spurs didn't want him?...Solid but no pace. 3) Andy Robertson is the deal of the summer...Agreed, he has been excellent 4) Hull City havenât missed Shane Long....Don't think he has exactly lit up the south coast!!! 5) Cup failings have left fans wanting more.....Not sure about this. Prem league survival is #1 6) North Stand switch has improved the atmosphere.....Agreed, good banter and marginalises the away fans in-between. Other clubs have always had the aways into a corner...eg Lester 7) Diame has been an attacking revelation...Good so far, but he started like a train for Wet Spam...Early days 8) City's squad has never been so international......A reflection on our position, I guess. 9) Further loan departures can be expected.......Yeah, bench warming can be painful and it cuts the wage bill. 10) The fun factor is back at the KC.....never went for me! We'll win some, draw some and lose some...its football.
Can't agree about Long. I think we're doing the Leeds fan thing of pretending he was **** all along now he's gone onto bigger and better things. Still hoping Hernandez will come good but Long was far better than he has been so far.
Agree I'd have been happy to keep Long, they had a good understanding from day one. Jelly and Hernandez are too far apart
I think Long would have done better this year with Jelavic to as his touch and hold up play have been a lot better this season to. Hernandez might take time to get used to England and the tempo of the games, but fingers crossed he comes good. In Bruce we trust!
Long’s very good player – sure he’d be sitting on a goal or two had he stayed. Not checked, but hope this is the end of the sodding international breaks and if so, hopefully Abel will be able to get a good unbroken run and settle in. He’s looked effective in flashes, clearly got talent, but still sort of looks raw. The good thing is, is that if it doesn’t work out, I’d suppose, due to his rep abroad, we’d be able to get half-the lion’s share of the fee back on him.
I think its just taken him a back a little the physical side of the Premier League, he's looked a little windy, maybe just acclimatising. Hopefully we havent signed the only windy Uruguayan in history.
I think you're right. He's looked great in one touch box instict: the snap shot against WHU and the one against Palace, but lacking in the body.
I have to wonder if Jelavic would have been as good as he is this season if Long had stayed. Has he had to change his game? Probably not.
Hernandez hasn't played in England before, whereas most of Shane Longs career has been in the top flight. It's always going to take time, we are starting to see little flashes of brilliance, so hopefully this break won't hamper him too much.
Tbh I think we paid far too much for Long and at £12m we've completely had Southampton's pants down. He's a half decent Premier League player but we certainly don't miss him and he certainly doesn't warrant the amount of praise you're constantly giving him on here.
