Match Day Thread Hull City v Portsmouth

Calf issue with Big Mac, but haven't heard when either are due back. I know Serj mention a week or so back that Mac had a relapse in his recovery but since then nothing.

 

A goal every 3 would be a start, or just a single goal credited to him that hasn’t involved a significant slice of luck.

He works really hard for the team but that doesn’t make him influential. If he was that influential, who do you think starts when McBurnie and Millar are both fit?

He presses well largely because he runs a lot, that doesn’t make up for how poor he is time and time again on the ball in key areas.

I’ve seen people say he’s one of the first names on the team sheet, which is just utter nonsense.

 

He's been credited with 3 goals in 956 minutes, which is 1 in 3.5 which equates to 13 in a 46 game season

 

It's not just working hard though. His chasing down puts pressure on the opposition and that helps us win possession in good areas. He's a coaches dream when you have the likes of Gelhart to finish opportunities.

There is a reason Serg has played the kid all year. He is no mug.

 

Yeah because of injuries. When Millar and McBurnie are fit, who do you think will play?

 

Joseph, both will have a job on their hands and need to be patient to get back into the team.

 

You’re on the wind up

 

Joseph is an integral part of the team. Thankfully, the gaffer is in charge of team selection and not some random fan on a message board.

 

We've seen multiple teams over the years where the 'all-stars' being thrown together don't actually make the team better.

England at the last Euros springs to mind. We haven't seen McBurnie, Millar, Belloumi and Gelhardt all fit yet - it might not work. The balance might be off without Joseph.

TWT

 

Once a player gets a reputation of "he runs a lot, but..." that becomes central to everything they do. Any chance they miss is seen as a sitter that they should've buried. Joseph misses a lot of half chances that realistically most players would miss, like the two headers on Saturday. The 1-on-1 on Saturday was a good chance but it was hardly a disgrace that he missed it; he had one touch to score, on his weaker foot and with very little space between him and the keeper. For the average striker it's always likely to be saved from there. The Gelhardt one just after was easier, and more surprising that he missed, but that one got forgotten because people aren't eagerly looking for the next moment to prove that he's **** like they are with Joseph.

 

He scored at the weekend boys.

 

Right so you’re seriously suggesting Joseph over McBurnie might be the way forward? If so, are you mental?

 

No, clearly McBurnie starts up front - but Joseph could well be an option on the wing in games - especially tougher ones against top opposition. It depends how well everything meshes together.

 

Nope, Joseph consistently misses chances like that, hence why it’s brought up. Gelhardt chance not brought up as much because prior to that, he’d scored 6 goals already this term.

Out of interest, if you remove Joseph’s running, what else does he bring to the team? He’s a consistently poor finisher and misses big chances, the one early on the weekend, the own goal against Birmingham, the header against Leicester, amongst others. He’s also really poor with his back to goal, consistently gives the ball away form a bad touch, not being strong enough, or being poor with a pass. So if reducing his work to just ‘running’ is taking a limited view, please tell me what other characteristics make him so integral to this city team?

 

13 last season would have put you joint 5th come the end of the seasons top scorers.....top 10 most years

fwiw, start of the summer I'd have binned him off, but I think he's become a v handy player, he'll never be the most skilful but his game will create goals and pressure for the team, if someone offered us 2.5 in January for him, I reckon I'd rather keep him then get our money back

 

So who would you start in more games on the wing over the course of season if everyone’s available and fully recovered from injury, Joseph or Millar?

 

I don't know. Depends on how well the team meshes together. On paper Millar, but I wouldn't be surprised if Joseph starts some games instead.

 

Yeah totally depends on opposition and what the game facing you needs, at home you'd prob be looking at McB up top, Millar, Gelhardt, Belloumi behind when everyone is fit, but a tough away game you may got Joseph left, Gelhardt right and Crooks or Slater in behind. Unlike some managers in the past I think SJ has it in his locker to flex this as he sees fit rather than just putting out his 11 best players and hoping his one tactic works

 

It’s not a bad return, expect the sample size is tiny, and one literally hit him from a yard out, the other was going wide and is lucky not be credited as an own goal, and the one against Bristol was a tap in. I’m not saying they don’t count, just saying aside from the Bristol one, it hardly suggests he’d go on to score double figures