Well - I hope N'Doye has done a bit of training with the lads, to justify his starting. It looked as if, on Saturday, he was brought on as a 'trophy'. It seemed more reasonable to have left him on the bench and battened down the hatches.
The WBA and Leicester home games were ****, and im both of them we picked a team based on a good away performance in the previous game, despite it being obviously unsuitable for a home game we were looking to win. As others have said, let's hope he doesn't do that again. Aluko was the only ineffective player at Man City anyway. Our back 3 was a slow one the other day, which was fine since we were so deep all game. But will Bruce fancy those 3 when we're on the attack a bit more. I doubt it. McGregor Elmo Bruce Macca Robertson Ramirez Jake Tom Brady Jelavic N'Doye Harsh on Macca and Meyler but we need to score.
We finally look defensively solid going back to the 3-5-2 that everyone seems comfortable with, I don't understand why you'd want to go back to a calamitous 4 at the back. Even Villa would score 3 past our back 4. Also, sounded to me like Bruce wasn't confident Jela was ready to start yet.
Team News: Weekend Performance Leaves Bruce With Tuesday Selection Dilemmas Steve Bruce has no fresh injury concerns but plenty of selection dilemmas ahead of Tuesday night’s big Barclays Premier League home game against Aston Villa. Nikica Jelavic, Andrew Robertson and Abel Hernandez are all vying for recalls after being left on the bench for Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Manchester City, while new signing Dame N’Doye will be hoping for a first start and a home debut after coming on as a late substitute at the Etihad Stadium. But with the Tigers having put in such a good performance against the reigning Champions, Bruce knows that he has some big decisions to make ahead of the visit of Villa. “Hopefully that result and performance adds a bit of confidence,” said Bruce. “We’ve got a big game tomorrow night now. Saturday has gone – but let’s hope it gives us that little bit of belief back because every footballer needs that. “We’re getting players back now and we’re far healthier in terms of numbers to pick from. I had to disappoint a few at the weekend and that bodes well. “I’ll be having a look at it after training today and seeing how everybody is. Dame will be in our thoughts and I’ve got decisions to make because we played very well on Saturday. “With ‘Jela’, we’ve got to make sure he is 100% fit and that was why I left him on the bench on Saturday. Two games in three days would be a big ask of him and we need to manage his knee better. He trained very well on Sunday and he’s uppermost in my mind because a fit and healthy Jelavic will be crucial in the weeks ahead. “Hernandez is in the same boat. He picked up an injury and you have to give people time.” The Tigers continue to be without James Chester (shoulder), Liam Rosenior (hamstring), Mohamed Diame (knee) and Robert Snodgrass (knee). Steve Bruce has no fresh injury concerns but plenty of selection dilemmas ahead of Tuesday night’s big Barclays Premier League home game against Aston Villa. Nikica Jelavic, Andrew Robertson and Abel Hernandez are all vying for recalls after being left on the bench for Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Manchester City, while new signing Dame N’Doye will be hoping for a first start and a home debut after coming on as a late substitute at the Etihad Stadium. But with the Tigers having put in such a good performance against the reigning Champions, Bruce knows that he has some big decisions to make ahead of the visit of Villa. “Hopefully that result and performance adds a bit of confidence,” said Bruce. “We’ve got a big game tomorrow night now. Saturday has gone – but let’s hope it gives us that little bit of belief back because every footballer needs that. “We’re getting players back now and we’re far healthier in terms of numbers to pick from. I had to disappoint a few at the weekend and that bodes well. “I’ll be having a look at it after training today and seeing how everybody is. Dame will be in our thoughts and I’ve got decisions to make because we played very well on Saturday. “With ‘Jela’, we’ve got to make sure he is 100% fit and that was why I left him on the bench on Saturday. Two games in three days would be a big ask of him and we need to manage his knee better. He trained very well on Sunday and he’s uppermost in my mind because a fit and healthy Jelavic will be crucial in the weeks ahead. “Hernandez is in the same boat. He picked up an injury and you have to give people time.” The Tigers continue to be without James Chester (shoulder), Liam Rosenior (hamstring), Mohamed Diame (knee) and Robert Snodgrass (knee). http://www.hullcitytigers.com/news/...ion-dilemmas-2258026.aspx#4vP7HYqMSOuAJFKL.99
One striker is a minimum, but after Sat's performance, i'm starting to think that perhaps the best way to set out is to first of all make sure we don't get beaten, against some of the teams near us recently we've set out to try win the game with attacking teams and have been picked off on the break or through our mistakes, at the moment it may be worth just making sure we don't lose til we get some form and confidence back
Yeah I did sometimes all you need is fresh eyes on something. I mean it's often the way that you just stop seeing it when it's right infront of you.
Interesting from that press conference to hear Steve Bruce admit he has to manage player injuries better himself. What an absurd idea it is that Steve Bruce has mishandled a few injured players eh? Nice to see him hold his hands up for once though.
Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert believes his team can walk away with a victory when they meet Hull City on Tuesday. The manager says Hull have an advantage as they will be playing at home. Both teams have been struggling to win points and are placed near the bottom of the league table... http://www.theguardian.com/football/video/2015/feb/09/aston-villa-paul-lambert-hull-city-video
I've been watching football all these years and this had never occurred to me. I wonder if there is any substance to this or is it just urban myth?
Yeah, fair point. I just went with that because I can't see us getting enough attacking players on the pitch with a 3-5-2 at the moment. Based on wasted opportunities against lesser sides earlier in the season, I'm sick of seeing a lineup with 10 defensive players. I want to see two strikers, Ramirez, Brady and Robertson, which I'm not sure is possible in a 3-5-2. I think people worry too much about formations though. It's just numbers at the end of the day. The players picked are more important than formations, and no formation guarantees results. I didn't hear the comments on Jelavic, if he's not fit then we'd better hope N'Doye is ready and give him plenty of crosses.
Not useful at all, but I have no idea who we should start. Brucey has a lot to factor in. Fitness levels from Saturday, Injury recoveries, is N'Doye ready? Who's got the right attitude. Really tough one, but we need these 3 points. Good luck to everyone. #UTT
It has to be the same team IMO, however i just wonder if Aluko and Ramirez can play another game in 4 days. Maybe Quinn and N'Doye who will bring loads of energy to the team. Art klast we Interesting..........
