Back home and my gawd did I miss that, great to feel the atmosphere again, and the East stand was bouncing .. literally ! Not a bad performance, they came into it after their manager switched it round a bit at half Time, but generally I thought we handled it well, although Bernard does tend to switch off at times and allow players in behind him, we weren't punished by it today but that won't always be the case. Thought big Tom, and Flemming were the outstanding performers today, but mostly enjoyed seeing Shota on the sidelines constantly directing them, e courage them, or giving them instructions as to where he wanted them. Also listened to his after match interview and while his English was a little difficult to understand at times it was quite obvious he knows what he is after,and what he expects. Look forward to the journey, and cheering them o from the stands again, feel good factor high and rising. As a sideline did Acun manage to get there in the end, I was fortunate managed to get over the Humber Bridge before they closed it following the accident.
Very fair summary of the game from a Swansea perspective….makes a welcome change from the one sided crap usually written… It’s fairly hard to write this report by breaking down the detail of chances created, but I’ll try, albeit after watching from a mobile phone screen in Poland. There was little time on the clock when former Gillingham striker Eaves scored after just five minutes, touching in a cross which Hamer could have possibly come for; the newly installed Fulton also letting the player goalside. Where the three centre halves were is better not to ask… The end of games stats don’t really do Hull justice for the torrid time they gave the Swans in the first half. They well and truly stifled our play, refusing to allow any opportunity in playing out from the back as the team always want to do. The stats show the Swans with double the efforts on goal and more possession, but as we’ve seen so often this season that means little. The killer blow came on 20 minutes when the impressive Lewis Potter slotted in after some more dreadful defending from the Three Musketeers at the back. The Hull academy product, a reported target for Brentford, didn’t really need to break a sweat to reach a ball from Honeyman and slot past a hapless Hamer. It’s games like this that really questions whether the process that we hear so much about from Russell Martin will deliver long term, when the resources we have and generally always will have are Poundworld. All fur coat and no…? The Swans were lucky not to be a third down by half time as the defence were all again at sea. Changes needed at half time but only three allowed – two of which were utilised. Fulton and Wolf were replaced – both of whom had shockers but not a surprise with their respective lack of match fitness. Obafemi and Ntcham were the men tasked with turning the game around – was this the start of the turnaround? In a word no. Things undoubtedly improved but again the passing was slow, the movement lacking and only a Kyle Naughton goalline block stopping a third Hull goal summed up this match in the North East. Shira Arveladze was unveiled to the jubilant home fans before the game and with exception of an Obafemi effort and the third substitute Liam Walsh’s shot both hitting the post, he must be hoping the Championship is always this easy. His team managed the game relatively easily in the second half, with the first twenty minutes’ work proving enough to ensure the three points stayed in Hull and moving the Tigers level on points with the Swans in 18th. Those two shots which hit the woodwork could have gone in on another day, and Piroe perhaps would have seen the flag stay down when he netted in injury time, but today wasn’t that day. As it hasn’t been so often this season. I’ll try not to paint too negative a picture in summary but it’s difficult to be objective after seeing that unfold. The recently strong looking defence was back to its worst, Matt Grimes was poor and the team lacked the creativity and pace it has for the majority of the campaign. Joel Piroe is a goalscorer with no service and has scored just once since Jamie Paterson has been out of the team. Wolf is struggling to get going and is returning from an injury and utilising Smith as an attacking midfielder makes as much sense as it is baffling. The club has a lot of work to do ahead of Monday night’s transfer deadline, but with finances at a premium, the shopping will be done for as low cost as possible. There are likely to be exits as well, although that isn’t particularly a disappointment after this performance, making it just two wins in twelve matches. The final whistle saw Martin smiling and shaking hands with the victorious Hull players; it’s not the best viewing for anybody watching and certainly the fans who made the near 600 mile round trip. Sums up the day overall, nowhere near good enough from the manager or his team as Hull win a third straight game. come on you Ull !!! That bit was me
Wow, what a fabulous day, and experience at City today, great hospitality, courtesy of MKM best seats in the house, the yellow leather sofa, so comfy, for a belated birthday treat for my little sis, quality time together before she goes into hospital. Had upper West to ourselves, apart from a couple of scouts. Well fed & watered or wined! Great start to the day, pre match drinks at City, not just a glass of wine, or two, which wine would you prefer!! The day then just got better, an experience not to forget. Fantastic atmosphere, great looking over a packed, noisy East Stand. Brilliant start to game, and first half. Thought we rode our luck a bit sitting back in 2nd half, but other than their free kick, Swansea had nothing to really trouble us. Tom Eaves worked his socks off again, looks so much better since no pressure of stop & start, leads the line, really pleased for Fleming, didn’t look out of place despite not having played much, linked play up well down his side. Another win, 3 points, clean sheet, what’s not to like. Overall, just buzzing, a fantastic day and atmosphere.
Already it feels like I want to go to games rather than I have to. I know we’re winning and that’s a massive part of it, but we won under the Allam’s recently and it didn’t feel like this. I’m just happy to ride the wave.
BBC reporting the gate at 13000, that sound right? I thought it might have been a bit more than that.
I estimated around 16k, but when you think the full upper west was closed and Swansea probably brought 150 all crammed into the whole of the North stand ! I guess looks could have been deceiving
It’s easy to work out really. 25,000 capacity reduced to 20,000 because of west upper. Each end hold 4,000. Swansea brought in my estimation 500. That gives us 16,500 to play with. East holds about 6,000 and was slightly under full, south I’d say half full and west a bit more than that I guessed 13,000 during the game. Good for recent years, disappointing in the grand scheme of things. Still, there’s a lot of youth in the east stand and we just need to make going to City ‘cool’ again to draw more in. It was really nice to see Prinny Ave bustling for the first time in ages.
West Upper is 5,000 capacity, North 4,000 so that leaves 16,400, another 500 or so in the segregated area takes it under 16,000. There were some empty seats in the East Stand, quite a lot in South Stand and a fair few in West Lower so 13,000 or so seems quite feasible. Though the people there created a lot more atmosphere than there has been for quite a while.
