http://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/sep/29/hull-west-ham-premier-league-match-report No footballer has ever appeared for England while on the books at Hull City. Old Carthusians, Grimsby Town, Uxbridge FC and the 1st Surrey Rifles are among the 123 clubs who can boast of having provided the national side with at least one player, but not Hull. But that may and perhaps should be about to change. Roy Hodgson called up Tom Huddlestone for the friendly against Sweden last November and a trip to east Yorkshire would inform the England manager that the former Tottenham midfielder is in the sort of form which seriously merits consideration for international recognition. "Why not? I don't think there's a better passer of the ball in today's game," said City's manager, Steve Bruce, after watching the latest in the series of midfield masterclasses Huddlestone has staged since unexpectedly becoming Hull's record signing in August. "He has great players ahead of him â the Gerrards and Lampards and Wilsheres â but he's a scarily gifted footballer who is only getting better by playing week in, week out. He likes the style we play, he's settled far quicker than he had a right to, and maybe it suits him being a big fish in a small pond too." That the 26-year-old is revelling in being fully fit and an automatic selection is obvious, though he would dearly love a goal. After his last he said he would fundraise for Cancer Research by not cutting his hair until he scored again. Over two years on, the charity is more than £12,000 better off and the Huddlestone afro has reached Hair Bear proportions. "It is getting a bit out of hand," he said. "But playing regularly is helping me find the rhythm and sharpness you lose when you don't play every week. And I think we're showing we're not one of those newly promoted teams which lump it forward." Nor are they, but Hull still had to rely on two generous decisions by the referee, Kevin Friend, to pick up another three points on Saturday. First when he gave a penalty when City's midfielder Robbie Brady went down after feeling the arm of the West Ham defender Joey O'Brien on his back early in the first half, and then in turning down the visitors' second-half appeals for a spot-kick when Jake Livermore appeared to clear the ball with an arm. Between whiles both sides had headers cleared off the line and Livermore's drive thumped against Jussi Jaaskelainen's right-hand post with the West Ham goalkeeper well beaten. Bruce accepted decisions had gone his side's way but felt they deserved the win anyway. West Ham's Sam Allardyce, whose side have failed to score in an away game this season, was as fed up with his players' failure to take their chances as he was with the referee. "Of course we're missing [the injured centre-forward] Andy Carroll," he said. "You can't have your best players unavailable for too long or you head towards where we are headed now, towards the bottom of the league, where we shouldn't be." Persisting with Modibo Maïga up front in Carroll's absence has baffled many supporters but Allardyce appeared to indicate the Mali international's failure to score in seven appearances will now have consequences. As he also pointed out, however, his options are limited. Man of the match Tom Huddlestone (Hull City) You know it makes sense Roy.
His passing is the best I have seen in a City shirt. About 2 or 3 times on Saturday he did this flickand trap with the outside of his boot - class.
I really dont udnerstand why people are obsessed with this. There is not 1 good thing that can happen as a result of THudd getting called up for England. His injury record in recent years is terrible, we should be delighted he gets regular 2 weeks break from matches and no doubt a decent stint off from training in that time. Suddenley playing an extra 2 games and then coming back for us would be a disaster. but even if he didnt get injured, what if another team suddenley decided they wanted him based on his international performances and he wanted to jump ship for no doubt a ****ty little fee of 100% profit? No doubt some people will say prestige or it's better for England but I couldnt give 2 fooks about either of those. I want him fit and playing for Hull City.
The opening paragraph of the article is not true is it? I've always been aware that Edgar Wright played for us and England 100 years or so ago
I think he was also linked with Cambridge University, which clouds the issue. Was he our player or theirs?
don't know. Only Cap v Wales (HC) on 19th March 1906 aged 21 years, 166 days hull city debut: 7 april 1906.
I'm pretty sure he was registered as a Cambridge University player at the time, it's covered in this book: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Century-City-Official-History-1904-2004/dp/0954783077/ref=sr_1_16?ie=UTF8&qid=1380545363&sr=8-16&keywords=hull+city+history
He also does some very funny films with Simon Pegg and Nick Frost. I met him at the London Screenwriter's Festival a few years back, he's a top bloke.
I don't think he's done enough yet. He's played very well but he's still behind Gerrard, Lampard, Wilshere and Carrick without a doubt.
He's good enough for the squad. Plus if we do get there, good as Gerrard and Fat Frank have been, I wouldnt want a 34 yr old and a 36 yr old in the centre of midfield. World Cups find out aging legs.
Agreed. Although, I must admit, I would kind of like the prestige and it might help us in the transfer market (make us look less of an outpost). Also, I'd welcome the buzz it'd give Huddlestone. Whether these are worth the risks as you point out, I'm not sure.
He would walk into most national teams. He is far better than any of the American midfielders in my opinion. Bradley plays midfield for Roma but I would rather have Huddlestone than him.
Huddlestone's possible inclusion in the next England squad (and any future squads) will depend on our league position - wrong I know but that's how it works. If we lose v Villa he probably won't be included A draw and he might be A win and he'll be nailed on
This really annoys me. Teams doesnt just mean the first XI. It means the full 23. He'd get into Italy's team. They love a player of his style.
